Mission Mission

At 10:30 AM this morning the Bike Index sent an alert that a stolen Mission Bicycle appeared on Craigslist last night.

Less than 2 hours later, thanks to a total stranger and the SFPD, justice was served.

We posed as a potential buyer and asked the seller to meet us in a public spot. Thanks to the SFPD Twitter account @SFPDBikeTheft the police were just around the corner, texting “we see you” (usually creepy, this time helpful). As soon as the seller arrived the police stepped in and took over, confiscating the stolen bike.

This is how it’s supposed to work: citizens using social media for good, technology working for us, the SFPD helping reunite people with their bikes.

Here’s the blow by blow of how it went down.

To register your bike on Bike Index, click here. It’s takes about 5 minutes, it’s free, and it’s worth it.

Earlier this month, 35-year-old Jeffrey Bugai (pictured) was arrested by San Francisco police for allegedly impersonating a police officer in order to kidnap immigrants with the intent to commit sexual assault. Bugai allegedly decked himself out in a vaguely cop-looking outfit and drove a white Crown Victoria. He was reportedly working in the Mission and Ingleside, where he would prey on newly arrived immigrants with limited English and threaten to deport them.

(more…)

SFist has the scoop.

Photo by Lufthar the Incredible.