Police search for Craigslist bike crook

Posted: 10/31/12 at 6:40 am EDT Last Updated: 10/31/12 at 7:03 am EDT

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (WSVN) -- Instead of buyer beware, it was seller beware for a South Florida family doing business on a well-known website. A father agreed to sell a motor bike online, but what happened next would drive him mad.

Jayden loves his dad's motorized bicycles. Matt England spends a lot of time building them, then sells them on Craigslist to help support his family. "My husband puts his heart and soul into these bicycles," said Kristin England. "He works hard everyday building these things."

Sunday evening, a prospective buyer went to their Coral Springs home to buy the bike, or so Matt thought. "He called me," said Matt, "and I met him outside with my son in my arms."

"Shortly after meeting with him," said Bradley McKeone of the Coral Springs Police, "the individual requested to take the bicycle for a test ride. The seller of the bicycle did not allow him to."

The crook then pushed Matt and Jayden to the ground, grabbed the bike and rode off. "He reacted very quickly," said Matt, "and shoved me into the grass and proceeded to run away."

"He was probably armed," Kristin suspected. "I'm grateful he didn't decide to take it to another level and harm my husband, especially with my son there."

"He initially started crying," said Matt. "He was really afraid. You shouldn't really be too trustful with people on Craigslist."

Police said if you are making a deal online, never do business at your home. "Try to meet them at a public place," said McKeone. "Whether it's a park or a coffee shop."

Police are hoping someone recognizes the bike or knows the person responsible for stealing it. They said they have received several leads but need the public's help to make and arrest.

If you have any information on this theft, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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