LITTLETON, Colo. (BRAIN) — BikeSource's location here was damaged in the early morning hours of July 30 during a smash-and-grab incident. Three thieves used a stolen van to back into the entrance, and grab three bikes collectively valued at $13,000.
After having to close that Sunday, BikeSource, which has locations in Denver and Highlands Ranch, reopened the next day. Store manager Mike Hernandez said the retailer has experienced similar smash-and-grab incidents in the past.
“This has happened before last year and at our Highlands Ranch store twice, maybe three times," he said. "It seems like every year something like this happens."
The previous break-in resulted in a bigger inventory hit, but “this one had the most damage to the store by far,” Hernandez said. “The last time we lost about $35,000 in bikes — mostly e-bikes — so some give and take.”
With the main entrance blocked, BikeSource is using a side door and altering the store layout.
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Hernandez said police are still investigating, and the store is working with its insurance company. No damage estimate has been released.
The van used was stolen from the National Sports Center for the Disabled, which provides recreational programs for its clients. It was the Denver organization’s only wheelchair-accessible van used for transportation.
While police recovered the van in downtown Denver on Aug. 2, it remains impounded as the investigation continues, said Diane Eustace, the center’s operations and communications director.
“We’ve had some other organizations offer to let us use their vehicles,” said Eustace, who did not know the extent of the van’s damage. “We’ll be borrowing vehicles until we find out what’s happening to ours.”
