Tucson bike theft caught on video; police drive by as it happens

I recently had my car stolen at sams club 11-29-11.It was parked by the wall with trees west end of parking lot.I immediately checked with management to see if they picked it up on video. Only to be informed that there is no cameras viewing that particular area of parking lot! Also found out later that about a week and a half earlier, another vehicle was stolen from that same spot. I would suggest if you shop at sams club on stone you do not park in this area!

Where is CSI on this? Near the end of the posted vid is an excellent face shot of the perp!

While TPD can't be held responsible in this particular case alone - their cameo on this video brings to light the incredible inequity in how car theft and bike theft are treated in our legal system. I've personally had 3 bikes stolen at the U of A, and know many folks that simply don't ride because the prospect of securing their bike against theft is too daunting. This fact is confirmed by the ever larger,heavier, more expensive bike locks that hit the market. In Tokyo, by comparison, bike theft is virtually non-existent (though apparently on the rise). I left a $2000 US bike parked outside my hotel with the most limp of cables. Many bikes were left on the street unlocked. Not sure what the legal implications are in Japan of bike theft, I suspect that it's more about cultural orientation towards theft than laws that allow folks to feel safe about leaving their bike unlocked. I only present Tokyo (as compared to Tucson) by way of inspiration - it doesn't have to be this way. Unfortunately, in our culture, it seems that litigation trumps cultural standards, but when in Rome...I'd say TPD needs to step up the prosecution of bike thieves, so that folks using bike theft as a way to pay the bills, consider an alternate under-prosecuted avenue, like, say, credit card fraud.

omg

So what's the point of the camera? Apparently it isn't being monitored and it sure isn't a deterrent.

Frustrating, yes, but obviously you can't blame the police on this one for not seeing it.

A big question that I have is what was the bike locked with? A cable lock? Notice how the fat girl is on "the lookout" while the guy messes around with the bike?