Each month, the Brownwood Police Department places numerous unclaimed bicycles into impound. These bikes are often stolen from their rightful owners and later found on someone else’s property. These bikes are stored in the BPD impound until claimed by their owners. Sometimes there are bicycles that are the same brand, style and color, making it difficult to insure that they are returned to their rightful owners. Officers’ reports do have details that help in the process of identifying the bicycles but not always the owners.
Currently, the Brownwood Police Department reports that they have approximately 100 bicycles impounded and are asking area residents to check with the police if they are missing a bike. The ones that go unclaimed for a long period of time are donated to local charities to be refurbished as Christmas gifts to needy local children. Recently, the police department donated over 60 unclaimed bikes.
Police officials state that many residents are unaware that they can call the police station after experiencing their bike being stolen, not only to report the crime, but also to see if their bicycle has been recovered. Bike owners will need to provide identifying information to claim a bike.
Police are also encouraging residents to register their bicycles with the department in the event it is missing or stolen. Those interested will need to furnish a serial number, model of bicycle, brand and color. This database will allow police to compare serial numbers of bicycles as they are brought to the station and hopefully provide a more efficient way to return them to their proper owners. To register a bike, please click here for a simple online registration. To check on a missing bike call the Brownwood Police Department at 325-646-2525 between the hours of 7:00am-3:00pm Monday through Friday and ask for Elizabeth.
