Bike stripped of $7,000 in parts under officers' noses
Motorcycle was upstairs; theft may have occurred Sunday
By Sherri Drake
The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal/August 17, 2005
Investigators aren't quite sure how someone slipped into the West Precinct over the weekend and stripped a Memphis police motorcycle of nearly everything but the front tire.
Monday, officers noticed the Harley-Davidson in its usual spot, parked in the upstairs storage/weight room, but missing its engine, transmission, gas tank and back tire.
The Harley, which had previously been damaged, was being stored for parts in the weight room above the precinct at 1925 Union, said Maj. C. B. Williams with the Auto Theft Bureau.
Harley professionals said it might've taken the thief hours to steal the parts, valued at more than $7,000.
Police think the thief might've swiped the stuff about 10 p.m. Sunday, but aren't sure who it is or how it was done. Technicians dusted for fingerprints around the precinct.
There's a staircase that leads up to the room, which usually isn't locked.
Williams said the time it took to get the parts from the bike depends on the thief's knowledge and experience.
"We don't have any suspects at this point," she said.
Internal Affairs officials said Tuesday that the case hasn't been passed to investigators, though that would happen if an officer becomes a suspect.
Williams said she can't say who would have the nerve to steal police belongings right out from under officers' noses.
"I don't want to speculate or anything," she said. "Perhaps our investigation will turn up something."
The motorcycle was being stored for parts in the weight room above the precinct at 1925 Union. It might have taken hours to strip the bike, Harley professionals said.
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