A total of 57 motorcycle thefts were reported to ACT Policing in the first six months of 2026. While some bikes have been located, many allegedly remain untraced.
However, one Gungahlin resident, who preferred to be identified only as Dan, was determined not to fall into the category of Canberra riders who could only lament losing their ride.
The 39-year-old IT specialist used his technical expertise to track his stolen vehicle to a hotel in Kingston, leading police directly to the suspect.
On Tuesday, July 7, Dan walked into the basement parking lot of his apartment complex on Camilleri Way, only to discover his bright orange-and-white 2016 model KTM RC 390 motorcycle was missing.
"My bike was definitely meant to be there," Dan told The Canberra Times.
Upon reviewing his building's CCTV footage, he spotted a man in a black sweatshirt and shorts casually walking through the basement area in the early hours of July 6, before riding the motorcycle out past the roller door.
"I was in a bit of disbelief and shock at how he just rode it out of the building," Dan said.
Furious that his bike had been taken from what he considered a secure space, Dan reported the theft to ACT Policing. But he was also determined to mount his own search.
Leveraging his IT expertise alongside local social media networks, Dan reached out to many including members of the Canberra riding community for clues.
"He [the thief] was in the building the previous day, breaking into cars and stealing items. The next day, he came back for my motorcycle," Dan said, having traced the intruder's entry route into the key-fob-protected building.
A six-day search followed, but a stroke of luck ultimately provided the turning point. On the morning of Sunday, July 12, Dan received a crucial tip from an anonymous local.
"The person said they happened to meet a man in a pub who was bragging showing photographs and videos about how his buddy had stolen a motorcycle and completely changed its look," Dan said.
With the informant pinpointing the exact location in Kingston, Dan rushed to the scene after Sunday church.
"I saw the bike parked outside a pub, but at first I couldn't even tell it was mine. He had changed everything, including the paint, the seat, and fitted a different registration plate," Dan said. "I was extremely nervous, but I called the police immediately."
An ACT Policing spokesperson confirmed officers attended the Kingston hotel on July 12 after being alerted by the owner.
"Police attended the location and located the alleged offender, a 25-year-old man, at the premises. He was arrested and charged with riding a motor vehicle without consent," the spokesperson said.
While Dan recovered the bike, he was stunned by the extent of the damage. In an effort to evade detection, the offender had spray-painted the frame purple, removed the fairing, cut and welded a new silencer, forced the ignition lock, and attached an ACT number plate stolen from an unregistered car.
Despite the successful recovery, the motorcycle was left severely damaged and unroadworthy, leaving Dan with no choice but to write it off.
The 25-year-old man is scheduled to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court on August 4.
