queen_of_pies writes in the Prospect Heights Message Boards: “Last night, someone proved to me that my no-locking paranoia wasn’t enough to hold on to a bike when a thief wants your ride.”
“After riding home from work in the evening, I carried my bike up the three stairs of our stoop… After unlocking the hallway door, I turned around and saw a man hopping off the stoop carrying my bike…”
“I ran out of the building and down the stairs toward the thief, tripping on the bottom stair, which sent me sailing into him; me, the bike, and the thief all sprawling on the sidewalk. Me and Mr. Thief scrambled to our feet, and I grabbed my bike and screamed, ‘let go of my fucking bike!'”
“He took a few steps back–probably calculated that this shabby-looking bicycle wasn’t worth fighting this madwoman for–and said, ‘hey, I wasn’t trying to take your bike.’ What, then? trying to give it a tune-up? I picked up my bike and ran back into the building and turned to see him sauntering away.”
“Him: 5′ 8″, not badly dressed, slight caribbean accent, hair long and slightly dreaded. me: nursing knee bruises and glad to have my bike.”