Asheville Bike Heist Results in Arrest of Suspect and Recovery of Items
Suspect Apprehended in Connection to Asheville Bike Thefts
Local Asheville business owner, Jeff Greiner of the Adventure Center of Asheville, breathes a sigh of relief as he is reunited with $37,000 worth of stolen fleet – all thanks to a vigilant community member who followed a local news story.
The supect, James Edward Thomas, was arrested on Tuesday, August 21, 2024. According to arrest warrants, Thomas is charged with felony possession of stolen goods and possession of a firearm by a felon.
Community Vigilance and Driven Business Owner Lead to Successful Case Resolution
“The story was critical. A witness saw it and reached out with a private message indicating they could positively identify the vehicle and trailer, bringing us crucial help to recover our bikes,” said Greiner about the crime exposure on local news channels.
Despite the heavy losses suffered by Greiner—theft of expensive electric bikes and other mountain bikes—he commended the courage of the female witness who came forward. “She was heartbroken this happened to another business owner and was upset about our employees who had their personal bikes stolen,” he shared.
Recovered Bikes Suffer Misfortune
Uneasy but elated at the bikes’ return, Greiner stated that most bikes were found intact. However, one of them was wrecked beyond repair—painted over and with an attempted rip off of the seat in a bid to disguise the stolen bike before resale.
Relentless Efforts on All Fronts Yield Results
In lieu of ongoing police department staffing shortages, the business owner took on the role of sleuth, identifying a business with surveillance footage showing a black GMC truck with a white trailer, carrying two of the stolen bikes on the roof.
Following this discovery and persistent calls for police assistance, Detective Deitiker swung into action. Through interviews and thorough investigation, he was able to secure a warrant, which helped recover the stolen bikes. “He was exceptional, working into the night to secure the warrant and manage the seizure of my bikes,” effused an appreciative Greiner.
Participant Praise
Grateful for the community’s unwavering support and the power of local news in bringing about justice, Greiner praised the local news station’s efforts. “Their exposure was instrumental in the success of our case. My staff and I are eternally grateful and galvanized by the community’s response and the courage of the witness who came forward,” Greiner said.
While past thefts have plagued his business, Greiner expressed that this incident stood out due to personal thefts suffered by his staff and campers, bringing to light the necessity for a robust community bond and the remarkable power a community holds when it rallies together.
