On Thursday, a man from Graz had an expensive mountain bike stolen from his basement. Out of frustration, he looked for it online – and found it on the online portal Facebook Marketplace in Hungary. But the police can hardly help him. He feels powerless – and he’s not alone.
Close enough to touch and yet so far away: a man from Graz discovered his stolen bicycle on Facebook Marketplace this weekend. 3,000 euros and a lot of memories in the hands of a thief – and little chance of getting it back. Mario F. (the name has been changed by the editors) feels powerless.
But from the beginning: A series of burglaries in basement compartments in a quiet settlement in Graz-Andritz is currently causing concern. On the night of May 2, Mario F.’s expensive mountain bike was stolen. “Someone gained access through the underground parking garage, destroyed a lock and climbed into the cellar,” says the man from Graz.
Advertisement with a “polished” wheel
He reported the theft, together with two other bicycles from the neighborhood, to the police. However, the next day he decided to take action himself. “I suspected the wheels had gone east.” He quickly created a fake profile on Facebook. And lo and behold, 280 miles away, someone had advertised their beloved bike on the Hungarian Facebook marketplace. “Polished and sparkling clean,” says Mario F. A neighbor’s could also be found online. He is certain: “This is a professional who is just as quick to make mischief in Graz as he advertises it.”
The Styrian State Police confirms that this is not an isolated case. “In the event of corporate theft, bicycles are often resold abroad for a profit,” says police spokesperson Maximilian Domanyi. Law enforcement is usually a challenge. Because the question is whether the online seller was also the thief. “And by the time research is done in Hungary, the bicycles have often already disappeared,” Domanyi explains.
In 2023, a total of 18,566 bicycles were reported stolen across Austria (1,742 more than the previous year), but only 9.3 percent of cases could be solved. Mario F. is frustrated: “You serve someone on a silver platter, but the police can’t do anything.” The bicycle could not even be traced based on the frame number. The police sent a request to Facebook about the identity of the seller, but that was not enough for the eager man. “I will contact the Austrian embassy in Hungary on Monday, maybe they can help me,” says Mario F.
Like many Styrians, he wonders: “Where should I park my bike if it is stolen even from the locked cellar?” The residents of the Andritz settlement remain determined to stick together to protect their community. And Mario F. hasn’t given up hope of getting his bike back either.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
