Man arrested as gardai recover stolen bicycle during undercover 'sting' operation

David Hurley
By David Hurley

Digital Content Hub & Academy

Published 17th Apr 2024, 11:51 BST
The bicycle was recovered and a man arrested during an garda sting operationplaceholder image
The bicycle was recovered and a man arrested during an garda sting operation

Suspect detained after officers set up fake profile on popular resale website

A man who attempted to sell a stolen bicycle on a popular resale website was arrested by gardai during an elaborate 'sting' operation.

As part of the investigation into the theft, a new garda recruit set up an online profile which allowed her to engage with the suspect.

"After some back and forth on the deal, we agreed to meet him at a location in Dublin 9 to buy the bike. Happy days. Ka-ching he must have thought," read a post on social media."Oh we were there as we had agreed, alright. Just in plain clothes and an unmarked car," it added.

Gardai say the investigation was launched at the weekend after a woman called into Ballymun garda station in Dublin to report that her bicycle, which is valuable, had been stolen from her workplace the previous day."The woman had a quick look online on the off-chance that the thief had advertised it for sale, and low and behold there it was. The thief was hoping to flog it for less than half price," said a spokesperson.placeholder image
Gardai say the investigation was launched at the weekend after a woman called into Ballymun garda station in Dublin to report that her bicycle, which is valuable, had been stolen from her workplace the previous day."The woman had a quick look online on the off-chance that the thief had advertised it for sale, and low and behold there it was. The thief was hoping to flog it for less than half price," said a spokesperson.

Following Tuesday's sting operation, the 'seller' was arrested on suspicion of possessing stolen goods and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

The bicycle was also returned to its rightful owner.

Related topics:Gardaí
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