More Than 50 Bikes Stolen From California Bike Shop in 'Organized Crime' Robbery

Feb 15, 2019
by James Smurthwaite  

Cambria Bicycle Outfitters in California was hit by an "organised crime" over the Superbowl weekend as "six-figures worth" of bikes were stolen, reports KSBY.

More than 50 bikes were taken from Cambria Bicycle Outfitters and police say that high value models in particular were stolen from Niner, Santa Cruz, Intense and Juliana. It's estimated the raid lasted 15-20 minutes and at least three people were involved.

The thieves cut a hole in the Paso Robles warehouse to avoid security systems, the owner, Clay Akey, later described it as "like Ocean’s 14". Some bicycle boxes were found on Neal Springs Road in Paso Robles, but police don’t have much more than that as there aren’t many cameras in that particular area. Akey has since upped security and described it as "Fort Knox".

Akey has asked anybody with information to call CBO or the police.

Posted In:
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Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles

114 Comments
  • 143 2
 Stealing Niners proves people will steal just about anything.
  • 35 8
 Left the Intense bikes behind, so not complete morons!
  • 5 4
 @justincs: Aren't intense frames produced in the same factory as Scott?
  • 11 2
 @trails801: isn’t that largely meaningless?
  • 1 0
 @kleinblake:
Good comment ????
  • 1 0
 @justincs: it's obvious they weren't looking for 'crack'
  • 136 4
 for sure mountain bikers took the bikes... who else doesn't care the super bowl was on.
  • 201 2
 If I were a detective I’d start with investigating anyone with a suspicious social media user name...
  • 21 1
 Or surfers
  • 7 24
flag alwayslivingthedream (Feb 16, 2019 at 8:03) (Below Threshold)
 6 RINGS BITCHES!
  • 6 1
 Yesss, Point Break 2 in the making !!!!!!!!
  • 4 1
 @donpinpon29: like on Point Break?
  • 101 2
 Sounds like a movie where its an inside job because the shop couldnt sell those 50+ plastic bikes leftover from last season at $10k each so they faked a robbery to claim the insurance money and Wesley Snipes plays the shop owner who's also a vampire hunter and Woody Harrelson plays the detective on the case who loves to play basketball but he cant really jump too high.
  • 11 0
 Samuel L. Jackson must have a role in this too.
  • 3 1
 @Ride406orDie: He is the fence for the overseas hot bike market...........
  • 9 0
 Id watch it.
  • 2 0
 @Ride406orDie: he double dared the shop owner to return the bikes
  • 47 1
 I haven't stolen from CBO, but a few times when stacking their sale prices and discount codes and gift cards, I sort of felt like I did.
  • 47 1
 DEATH TO BIKE THIEVES!!!!!!
  • 47 6
 Inside job
  • 47 6
 onemanarmy out here with useful input. Glad we can put this case to bed now. Thank you.
  • 2 0
 Inside man as well!
  • 3 0
 @JohanG: Something like 90 percent it is someone you know
  • 2 0
 You never hear about rewards being offered when these big heists happens $$$......that’s probably why
  • 7 0
 @sirhc3691: In Spike Lee's Inside Man, a man is stashed inside the bank and walks out long after the robbery. What if a guy was stashed in a bike box the whole time?
  • 4 0
 @sirhc3691: I think that stat refers to child molesters, not so much bike thieves
  • 3 0
 @SirWonky: More likely people don't have the cash to offer big rewards, on account of getting robbed.
  • 27 3
 That’s really messed up...

Now that’s out of the way, how awesome is this dude? “My babies!”
  • 2 1
 Yeah- that's what I was thinking also. He has a bunch of charisma. Very enjoyable to watch- but damn that sucks and I hope they find the thieves and get the bikes back.
  • 15 1
 Motion sensors that do like 100' Radius are like $80. A security panel is like $250.

For under $500 you can have a security system that isn't easy to get around, holes in the wall/roof/ground/etc...

Not sure how many more bike places need to be broken into. I have more security on my shed than these dudes on their entire business. Insane.

Unless it was an inside job than...
  • 3 1
 Insured? No worries.... maybe a need to recuperate cash...
  • 2 0
 Yeah it's pretty moronic not to have security on a warehouse like that...
  • 12 0
 Friend of mine had their Surly hardtail stolen. Few months later, while working, in Pembroke projects i saw the scumbag riding it around. Called the cops and stuck around for the show. He not only got arrested for the stolen bike, he had a half ounce of blow on him... HAHAHA.
  • 4 0
 Outstanding move!
  • 11 0
 Not cool.
  • 8 1
 Not sure how many people on Pinkbike have seen American Chopper...but that sort of looks like Paul Jr's head on Vinnies body.
  • 2 1
 probably a cousin or something? he even talks exactly like them
  • 10 0
 Who steals a Niner?
  • 8 3
 Sorry about your loss. My thoughts are with you as long as I can remain focused.

On a side note...I've watched all Ocean's movies and am ready for a supporting role in the upcoming counter-attack.

#serializedisalie
  • 10 1
 dont steal bikes bro
  • 6 0
 Don't hate....but what if it was some jealous roadies...can't stand that mtb's are getting close to the same price as their bikes...lol.
  • 4 0
 Funny they interviewed a guy that doesn't work where the theft happened in a location 30 miles from where it happened where he doesn't work at either ... Chain Reactions probably pissed.
  • 8 4
 Really expecting they caught the scumbags who made this and get their nuts and hands remove... in a brutal, painful and bloody way.
  • 2 0
 Is that the owner of CBO? I keep waiting for him to pop out a sandwich or something and go "OOooh now THAT is BOMB, I can really taste the Cilantro, and that bread is just jammin! See you next time, on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives!"
  • 2 0
 As the trailer pulls into Walmarts warehouse rfi scans and inventories before it is unloaded. My dogs have a chip. Insurance aside, the shop takes a huge hit and it is really hard to survive in today's market even without this crime bullshit. Good luck CBO.
  • 5 1
 That has to be around $300,000 worth of bikes, maybe more. Is his Insurance going to cover that?
  • 4 1
 they beefed up their security system so I think that's a sign that yes, insurance will cover that but going on in the future they're gonna have to upgrade the security system to a level the insurance co. can continue covering them. that's my 2c.
  • 1 0
 Wow some new deals in the Pinkbike BuySell section are incredible jk jk... seriously unfortunate but I agree their security should have been better in the first place. Same or less price gets you a motorbike/second hand car and those places have better security...glad they learnt their lesson tho
  • 2 0
 ALL bikes have a serial number, so that isn't an excuse they can use. I do hope that they find the folks that took all of these bikes and are able to get some of their bikes/money back.
  • 1 0
 The cop do not care about bikes. It takes more then four weeks to even get a serial number entered in their database. Nonviolent grant theft don't mean anything anymore. The cops and I know how took my bike and I still do not have it back...... With way more than enough evidence and names....
  • 1 0
 Where do these bikes end up? I have had six bikes stolen and have only seen one appear on Craigslist. Where would you look for your bike if it were stolen? PS - YETI SB 4.5c in neon green was my latest loss. Keep an Eye out please!!
  • 2 0
 Bikes are obviously too expensive I e valuable... is there such a thing as disorganized crime in a scenario like this? Better this than what happens here which is bikes stolen off riders with knives and guns
  • 3 3
 "Nobody could prepare for something like this..." Urm... You mean like... Perhaps having INSURANCE?? You know... The thing that covers you financially in case... I don't know... Maybe somebody steals your stuff? Crazy thought that...
  • 1 0
 I can guarantee you they have insurance...
  • 2 1
 The guilty parties will have been into the store previously to identify the bikes and locations within the store, describing your warehouse as, "like Fort Knox", is only inviting others to give it a go.
  • 1 0
 This seems to be becoming more an more common: Masked men break into new 3T factory and steal 20 bikes www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/masked-men-break-new-3t-factory-steal-20-bikes-401233
  • 3 2
 Oh no, not CBO! I hope you get them all back. You guys are great (I've only ever shopped online, but it was excellent!)

I wish you well.
  • 3 1
 such crap.... why some have to steal from others, others hard hard work to create, and some just come take it.
  • 3 1
 Definitely sucks when some people create and others think they have a right to take it. Hope the thieves get caught.
  • 2 0
 Go visit east vancouver and look at what bikes the street folk ride. Why the cops haven't seized those, I don't know. Somebody worked hard for those bikes and then they get stolen and live in tented camps. They're down on their luck but that doesn't excuse you for stealing somebody's hard earned ride.
  • 8 1
 @MMOF: my buddy is an rcmp officer who is an avid mtber. He has stopped people on obviously stolen bikes only to run a check on the serial # and see it's not reported stolen. Why? People don't register their bikes or even write down their serial numbers in case the bike does get stolen. Not much police can do if that's the case.
  • 2 1
 @Tmackstab: bout time they started giving forks/wheels/mechs unique IDs like frames have on there BB with all registered and searchable with the manufacturer for Stolen alerts.

If you choose not to register your components and they get stolen then you can't complain if they never get recovered, you become part of the problem.

Remove the market for the broken down bikes then no driver to steal them to make cash, as they won't find buyers.
  • 1 1
 what?
  • 2 0
 @MMOF: 100% agree. I get so angry every I pass through East Van and see a homeless guy riding a frame off a $10k bike. I can't understand how those bikes are confiscated.
  • 2 0
 @Naturel: Glad to hear from you guys the positive feedback. The system is working but we still see a ton of expensive bikes there. Even when watching the news and they show the homeless camps, do you see those bikes? Common sense is that they are stolen. They should be taken away from them and put up for auction if not able to find the owners. The proceeds can go into buying used bicycles (more urban-style) for the homeless. There are a lot dropped off at the recycling depots. Those should be donated to a facility that will repair then and donate to the homeless/less fortunate people in our society.
  • 3 1
 We've had like over a dozen vans driven through bike shops in Denver in the last year. We need Robocop, and fast.
  • 2 3
 insurance will cover that, most likely. they beefed up their security systems so that's saying something.

on the better news, looks like mountainbiking is getting serial in Viva El Mexico! never mind the jerkoffs that pull this kind of shit for a living but at the very least some South American riders will be able to afford rides they otherwise never would. that's the cold bottom truth. that is, if the cartel don't get those sweet rides to cruise around in their fortress-mansions high-up in the hilly hills of the interior. Can anyone see a Don Eladio dh-ing on a Santa Cruz? now that's gotta be extreme!
  • 1 0
 Inside job. Too hard to resell these bikes with all this negative attention and second buyer serial number trace etc. as you would get caught.
  • 3 1
 haha that owner is a character!!! but for real can people stop stealing bikes already this is horrible!!!
  • 3 0
 Where exactly did they put 50 bikes?!?!
  • 1 0
 Crazy - I used to clean bikes there for candy money long ago when it was a small shop in Cambria. Now my local shop is Incycle where it got hit yesterday.
  • 3 4
 That Kelsey McFarland is one nice pc of a arss, I know from experience dude. In all seriousness though, I’m glad they didn’t take any ibis bikes.. ive been waiting for that large ibis mojo hd3 2x10 non boost to drop from 4500 since 2014.
  • 2 0
 When we got robbed, they came all the way into the shop past the 3-5k road bikes and stole 1 entry level mountain bike....
  • 2 0
 I believe the shop owner has a second job .. as a wrestler at the local state fair armory!!
  • 2 0
 Why does the news report look like it's a scene from Family Guy? Still, I hope they catch the thieves.
  • 9 9
 Sounds like an inside job. 50 bikes, no cameras, hole in the wall, only high end bikes, owner said probably took 3 people?! Sounds like insurance fraud to me.
  • 2 1
 Not at all. Organized thug pieces of sh*t come in several times, check the place out. May not go into the warehouse, but go all around it. They know the only security is on the doors and windows. They also know the walls are basically tin cans on most steel warehouse buildings. Kneecap everyone of the losers if caught. Can't steal bikes from a wheelchair
  • 2 1
 @bman33: isnt it a storage facility? No reason for thugs to wall through...
  • 4 2
 @onemanarmy: that place was scoped out. That isn't a 'crime of opportunity'. It was planned. Very similar (maybe the same crew) who pulled the Rocky Mountain gig a few months ago.
  • 1 0
 @bman33: Yup ...Oceans 14.
  • 3 0
 @bman33: I absolutely agree. That was my first thought after reading this post. Any bike shop owner should have learned a lesson on the Rocky Mountain heist.Kinda same scenario: high end bikes, no leads and suspects,poor security.
The owner shows enthusiasm than being pissed off as a victim.
  • 1 0
 This sucks! What’s the bounty?? I have some free time and some classified interrogation skills :-)
  • 1 0
 Oceans 14 ay? but they said it might have been only 3 people and I doubt security is that of the Bellagio Casino
  • 1 0
 Stealing Intense bikes, that is not a good idea. The resale on them already sucks....
  • 3 0
 CALI FORNIA,
  • 1 0
 Happens everywhere. Denver has had many shops hit professionally. Rocky Mountain's warehouse in BC was hit this year. Pieces of sh*t everywhere
  • 1 0
 It does seem likes it Cali or Vancouver ALOT tho.
  • 2 0
 I feel bad...but did anyone tell that guy he was gonna be on TV?
  • 3 2
 yep, there was a bike shop in boulder that did this same thing. the shop owner is going to jail for fraud.
  • 2 0
 ...no cam system in place already with million or so in inventory?
  • 1 0
 That's fucked. The shop owner is hilarious though. He's like the Guy Fieri of cycle shop owners.
  • 10 10
 Must of been immigrants from Mexico. Good thing that wall is a national emergency! (sarcasm)
  • 3 4
 @cbenderusa007: this is PB; you will need to keep things really simple
  • 2 0
 Chip these things.
  • 3 3
 Lol isn't taxation a form of organized crime? It's thieft! These f*ckers are opportunists, unfortunately
  • 1 0
 dude Clay are you sure you didn't just misplace them?
  • 1 0
 Make humans morally responsible for their actions great again!
  • 2 2
 Buy a stolen bike u go to jail...bike thefts will stop..simple
  • 1 0
 No alarms went off?????
  • 2 1
 That owner is awesome!
  • 1 0
 Check the flea markets!
  • 1 2
 It was Cristopher Walken and YT mob. A develish brand????????
  • 4 5
 sweet finally some cheap bikes on the market
  • 1 2
 Scumbags, lowest form of life, hopefully karma F#×$ you good!!
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