Palma bike theft: online post helps return stolen bike
In Palma, Mallorca, police return a stolen bike to its owner after a social media post leads them to her. At about 04.03 on 27 October, a witness spots two men breaking one bike lock and trying to force another at Plaza del Olivar. Palma Local Police investigate two men, aged 19 and 20, on suspicion of bike theft.
A witness alerts the patrol
The witness stops a night patrol at Plaza de España. He says the men are dressed in black, wearing hoods and using a wooden strip to force the locks. Officers search the area and stop two men matching his description on Calle de Colom.
Back at the bike stand, officers find a bike with a damaged lock. A second lock still holds it in place. Nearby lies a 60-centimetre wooden strip that police say was used as a lever.
A post leads police to the owner
Officers also find an unlocked white town bike with turquoise rims. Their inquiries show it was stolen from the same spot days earlier. Police suspect the two men used it to get to the square to steal another bike.
Later, officers spot a social media post from a woman looking for her stolen bike. They contact her privately. The following day, she brings her earlier theft report to the police station and gets the bike back. Police send the case file to the duty investigating court.
Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com