Robbery suspects could be in jail right now for stealing four dirt bikes, two goggles and two quarts of oil, thanks to Plant City Motorsports’ $1,500 night-vision security system.
Unfortunately, the shop, which opened just last month, did not yet have the system installed.
“Whoever broke in just took a 50-50 chance (of) knowing that we were a new business if we had our security setup or not,” partner Chad McKee said.
According to Plant City Police Department reports, a friend of the shop’s owners called March 23, to report a green 250 Kawasaki dirt bike outside of the building, 203 E. Baker St.
Upon arriving at the shop, McKee discovered the burglars smashed a large window on the west side of the business and the bike behind the shop. Inside, he discovered goggles, oil and three other bikes — a red Honda 125, a blue Yamaha 250 and a green Honda CR 500 — also were stolen.
After police arrived, the 500 CR was found abandoned in a wooded area off Damon Street, west of Michigan Avenue.
All stolen inventory was part of a shipment from California.
One piece of inventory the thieves left behind was more valuable than the stolen bikes — a 1978 Bob Hannah vintage YZ250 Yamaha.
“I was really surprised they didn’t take that,” McKee said.
The shop plans to install its security system within a few weeks. Owners also will install bars on the showroom windows to prevent burglars from being able to remove bikes from the shop. Employees are taking care to lock every single door and are securing the bikes in a room with a reinforced door.
“What can you do?” McKee said. “Stuff like this happens. That’s why you have insurance.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
HOW TO HELP
If you have any information regarding this case, call the Plant City Police Department, (813) 757-9200.
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