...and if he were caught re-stealing the bike, he would have been arrested for theft. No matter how sure he is that it's his bike (that was stolen), he would have to prove it and the police should have been called.

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Sorry Ree, if he did it again I would have cracked him in the nuts.......no need for the police.........hahaha

My bike were stolen more then one time, once I found it in the house of the thief ( a kid ), I took the tax note with the serial number which is under the bike frame proven that it was mine.
If a cop stop to check why I'm breaking its lock, I just need to show the tax note and say it was stolen from me and I have found it.

i would have preferred a sting operation.