Old-style crime prevention measures joined forces with today’s social media networking to reunite a treasured family heirloom with its rightful owner.
Dad Ross Hutchinson had given up hope of seeing his beloved child’s bicycle stolen from a lock-up garage near his Hempstead home before Christmas.
The distinctive Raleigh Grifter was given to Ross as a birthday present from his dad 40 years ago and as a young lad, he had learned to ride on it around the streets and country lanes across Medway.
After passing his cycling proficiency test in 1985, a community police officer stamped Ross’ home postcode on the underside of its frame as a security deterrent to thieves.
After it was snatched along with his daughter’s mountain bike, Ross was convinced that The Grifter, his “inseparable childhood friend” had gone on its final journey.
The special needs teacher said: “I have to admit the odds of a bike returning after being stolen are slim at best.
“But ever the optimist I didn’t give up hope and it paid off.
“I raised the alarm on pretty much every vintage bike group and all I can say is the response and support from the community was astounding.
It was snapped up by a Portsmouth-based dealer at a boot fair in Essex who hastily placed it on E-bay – that was until he was made aware it had been stolen and he pulled it from auction.
Ross said: “The listing disappeared the next morning.
“Figuring I had nothing to lose, I messaged the seller directly and he responded straight away.
“Luke’s listing included some detailed photos, specifically one that showed the police postcode stamp back in 1985.”
Luke told Ross that he spotted the iconic bike for sale on a tarpaulin sheet and “couldn’t believe his luck”. He has not revealed how much he paid for it.
Ross said: “It’s just as well he did, or it may have been bought by someone who just wanted to keep it and it would never have been seen again.”
As soon as Ross got The Grifter back he took a trip down memory lane to Gillingham Pier where his dad took him on his first ride on his seventh birthday.
Ross has fond memories of the bike and when he found it rusting away in a dusty barn at his parents’ holiday home in France five years ago, decided to bring it back and restore it for his young son Felix.
He said back in the late 70s and 80s, The Grifter was the “must-have” mode of transport for children and he recalled the excitement when he was presented with the second-hand model.
When he outgrew it, he passed it on to his younger brother Ryde who tragically died in a car accident when he was 18.
The family took it to their cottage in Normandy where it has remained for more than 20 years until Ross, best known for restoring the iconic Ghostbuster hearse Cadillac and getting it back on the road after two decades decided to give it a makeover.
Delighted to be reunited with The Grifter, he said: ”It’s of huge sentimental value and little worth to whoever took it.
“It’s part of my family.”
The bike, manufactured by the Raleigh Bicycle Company between 1976 and 1983, was the predecessor to the BMX.
Ross joked: “While it was popular then, it wouldn’t be appealing to young cyclists today who would find it too heavy.”
“Once again, thank you to everyone in the community who lent their support and helped in getting this bike back. It’s genuinely appreciated.”
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