After dealing with eight cases of stolen motorcycles since Sept. 30, Gainesville Police are encouraging motorcycle owners to use caution with their bikes.
Police believe thieves load the stolen motorcycles onto trucks and drive off, GPD spokeswoman Summer Hallett said. They are unsure whether the cases are related, Hallett said.
Most recently, three motorcycles were reported stolen Wednesday from residents of Cazabella Apartments, Melrose Apartments and University Terrace apartments, Gainesville Police reports stated.
On Sunday, police found a motorcycle with an empty gas tank in the bushes outside the Polos Apartments, a report stated.
The owner, whose name was unavailable, had not reported the theft because he thought the motorcycle had been towed, the report stated.
Other motorcycles have disappeared from Tivoli Apartments, Magnolia Manor apartments and Point West Apartments since Sept. 30.
"Most of these motorcycles were sitting unlocked in a parking space," Hallett said.
Police recommend using strong chains to lock motorcycles to posts or street lamps and securing the front wheel and frame of the bike with a U-lock, according to a GPD flier.
Owners should also lock the steering mechanism, use an alarm, document the motorcycle's engine number and keep the registration.
