The owner of a motorbike, which was taken from outside a house she was visiting on the weekend, was left devastated after it was found burnt to a crisp some miles away on Monday morning (July 11). Karolayne Fagundes allowed her cousin to use her motorbike - a white Honda Pcx - on the weekend (July 9/10) before meeting at a friend's house.
Around 15 minutes after her cousin arrived at the house in Filton, Kerolayne joined them with her partner and says that, as soon as she stepped through the door she asked where her bike was. At first, she says, she wondered if her cousin had left the bike elsewhere, however her cousin assured her it was "right outside".
They all went out to look for the bike, only to discover it had been stolen. So the pair got in touch with other riders in an emergency WhatsApp group, as well as Avon and Somerset Police, in order to report what had happened. Then, early on Monday morning, they found out that a motorbike, believed to be the one belonging to Kerolayne, had been discovered completely burned in Horfield, near Auden Mead.
Read more: Police update after man dies after being hit by car while walking to work
Kerolayne says she has been left "devastated", especially after discovering that her insurance did not cover fire damage. She adds that the bike alone was worth around £2000.
Kerolayne is now part of a Bristol-based Whatsapp group which contains dozens more riders who say they have had bikes stolen or damaged in recent months. Felippe, the spokesperson for the group, is another member of the WhatsApp group, said: "There was another case reported in our group last Thursday which was a cloned license and we do have several events happening, reported to the police.
"Members in the group feel frustrated that when the people responsible get caught, most of them have been involved in previous crimes and the riders in the group feel that they keep doing what they're doing because they believe nothing is going to happen to prevent them from doing it again and again. Every day we have a bike stolen or it's just avoided being stolen - this is happening every day."
Avon and Somerset Police told Bristol Live that there was no record of the motorbike being found burnt on the system and it was likely that they had not been informed by the person who had found the bike as of yet, but could confirm it had been stolen. Kerolayne confirmed she hadn't let police know that the bike had been found as she believed, because a police car had been on the scene, that it had been done automatically.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: "A white 65-plate Honda PCX was reported stolen last weekend. It’s believed the theft took place in the Laxey Road area of Filton at about 5.30pm on Sunday 10 July.
“Witnesses or anyone with footage that may be able to assist our enquiries is asked to call 101 and give reference number 5222163973.”
The police also urged anyone who is a victim of such a crime to report it via 999 if ongoing or 101/online if not an emergency.
Read next:
Groups banned from gathering at popular Cornwall beach for 48 hours
Police appeal after Bristol camera shop thief steals kit worth thousands
Hundreds of new gun licences granted in Avon and Somerset over the last year
Teen has trainers stolen at knifepoint by two men in Bristol
Is it illegal to park on someone else's drive? Legal expert explains answer
