Local Business Owner Reports Theft of $37,000 Worth of Electric, Mountain Bikes
ASHEVILLE, NC – Local business owner Jeff Greiner recently reported a major theft from his properties. Greiner, owner of the Adventure Center of Asheville, says eight bikes worth more than $37,000 in total were stolen from his locked bike shop.
The Theft
“It was so frustrating and disappointing,” Greiner divulged, describing the theft. The stolen property included three electric bikes reserved for guest use, one bike owned by a camper from his bike camp, and the rest were staff-owned bikes.
Among the personal victims of the crime was Evan Kearse, an employee at Greiner’s bike camp, who lost two bikes in the theft. “It’s pretty rough,” admitted Kearse, one of the stolen bikes had cost him over $7,500, a specialty trail bike he had ordered from a manufacturer called Transition. “It was the first bike I had saved up for and bought on my own, I was really excited for it. We’re all pretty emotionally attached to our bikes,” Kearse added.
Insufficient Police Response
What added more distress to Greiner’s situation was the alleged lack of response from the Asheville Police Department (APD). Greiner explains that due to the department’s shortage of staff, there has seemingly been no progress on an official investigation into his case. “Their indication is their focus has to be on violent crime and I get that, but we, unfortunately, have been broken into before and police officers were able to come out – multiple police officers. But not this time,” claimed the aggrieved proprietor.
Rick Rice, a spokesman for APD, confirmed the staffing shortage within the department but added that the initial handling of the case had been conducted properly. “A member of the Asheville Police Department reached out to Greiner the same day his report was filed, requesting additional information and obtaining more specifics, including the stolen items and their serial numbers,” Rice clarified.
The Aftermath
In light of the purported police lethargy, Greiner, along with his staff, have taken matters into their own hands. They’ve door-knocked local businesses and have even managed to source surveillance footage of a suspect black GMC SUV with a white trailer that appeared to be carrying some of the stolen bikes.
Greiner and his team continue to post photos of the stolen bikes on social media in the hope someone will recognize one and report it. They have also begun investing in additional surveillance equipment, and enhancing the shop’s security in an attempt to prevent further thefts. Kearse, in particular, holds out hope that someone will spot his beloved Transition Spire bike.
Despite the disappointing events, there is a glimmer of hope. After media outlets reached out to APD, Greiner reported that a detective had finally contacted him to discuss the theft further, signifying that an official investigation might finally be underway.
Anyone with information that could assist with the ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact Jeff Greiner at 828-713-3475.
