Thieves warned of £5,000 reward on their heads after CCTV shows them stealing £75,000 'upmarket' bicycles from Havant store

A gang broke into Evans Cycles at Unit 12 B/C, Solent Rd, and used chainsaws to remove up to 30 well-known branded bikes ranging in price from £500 to £7,000 before loading them onto vans in a ‘targeted’ ambush.

CCTV, which captured the brazen thefts, showed six people wearing tracksuits and hoods as they methodically set about removing the bikes.

Police were called on November 25 at 1am but the criminals had fled by the time they arrived.

The items stolen were mainly road bikes, electric and full suspension mountain bikes. They included brands such as Bianchi, Cannondale, Cube, Norco, Pinnacle, Raleigh, Specialized and Trek.

A 24-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to commit a burglary with intent to steal but was released.

Hampshire Constabulary is continuing to investigate the incident, whilst Frasers Group (owner of Evans Cycles) has also instructed private investigators.

The owners believe the type of bikes stolen make them easier to trace – with the firm offering the reward money as they seek to bring the offenders to justice and have their bikes returned.

Mike Dyson, regional manager of Evans Cycles, said: ‘These bikes are upmarket bikes with well-known brand names and clearly the thieves were targeting those of the highest value.

‘However, this makes these bikes much easier to identify and trace. We take raids and thefts from our stores extremely seriously and we will do everything we can to track down those individuals involved.’

A spokeswoman for Hampshire police confirmed they were called to a ‘report of a burglary’ involving a ‘number of bicycles’.

‘A 24-year-old man from Southampton was arrested in connection with the incident, on suspicion of conspiring to commit a burglary with intent to steal,’ she said.

‘He has been released under investigation while our enquiries continue.

‘The incident remains under investigation.’

Evans Cycles has asked for anyone with information to contact the investigations team in confidence on 0800 056 8662.

A reward of £5,000 is offered for information leading to a successful prosecution.

SEE ALSO: Man on trial for attempting to kill mum and stepdad

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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