Madison police officers pulled off a successful sting operation Tuesday to recover a bike stolen this past weekend after receiving a tip from the victim that the bike was for sale on Craigslist, according to a police report.
A 26-year-old Madison man reported his $640 Trek bicycle, which was locked to a bike rack on the 30 block of North Mills Street, was swiped at approximately 7 p.m. Saturday, according to the report.
The report said the victim recognized his bike listed on Craigslist, and a distinguishable lock holder underneath the seat affirmed his suspicion the bike was his, so he contacted the Madison Police Department.
The victim agreed to meet the online seller near Memorial Union to buy the bike for $150 knowing he would be accompanied by an officer, according to the report.
Sequoyah Branch, 24, who police arrested for theft, tried to tell the officer the bike belonged to her husband, but changed her story when the officer told her the victim had the original manufacturer’s sales tag to prove it was his.
