There have been nine cases of stolen electric bikes or scooters since the start of the month, according to the Indiana University Police Department.
This is an increase from the four cases of e-vehicle theft in January.
Incidents included e-vehicles locked with cable and U-style locks, and each theft occurred while the e-vehicle was parked at a bike rack, according to the notice.
Only one February case had a suspect. However, the owner of the e-bike did not wish to press charges.
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Hannah Skibba, IUPD Public Information Officer, said this semester is the first time IUPD has seen a significant uptick in e-vehicle thefts.
Thefts did not occur more at any time of day, according to the IU daily crime log.
Since the e-vehicles have a motor, the incidents are classified as motor vehicle theft and must be reported in compliance with the Clery Act.
IUPD urges e-vehicle owners to record the make, model, and serial number of their vehicle, register the e-vehicle with the university, store it in a secure location, and lock the bike or scooter with a physical lock and an electronic lock if the e-vehicle has one.
Reports are listed below:
- Jan. 16: Teter – Thompson south bike rack
- Jan. 26: Willkie north bike rack. A white male with curly blonde hair, wearing a black jacket and leg brace over khaki pants was seen walking into Willkie Hall with a scooter appearing similar to the scooter that was stolen.
- Jan. 29: Ballantine Hall bike rack
- Jan. 31: Cedar Hall southwest bike rack
- Feb. 2: An e-scooter was stolen from the bike rack east of the northwest-Bordner door of McNutt Quadrangle.
- Feb. 4: An e-bike was stolen from the bike rack on the north side of Jacobs East Studio building.
- Feb. 5: An e-scooter was stolen from the northwest exterior bike rack of Myers Hall.
- Feb. 6: An e-bike was stolen from the 11th Street entrance bike rack of Fee Parking Garage.
- Feb. 15: An e-bike was stolen from the east bike rack of Woodburn Hall.
- Feb. 19: An e-bike was stolen from the NE bike rack of the IMU.
- Feb. 19: It was reported that between Jan. 29 to Feb. 5, an e-scooter was stolen from the northside Ballantine bike rack near Wells Library.
- Feb. 26: An e-scooter was stolen from the north rack of McNutt Quadrangle.
- Feb. 27: An e-scooter was stolen from the nourtheast bike rack of Ballantine Hall.
