Bike stolen twice while in police custody

Kasama, Japan -- Japanese police hoping to find the thieves who stole a bicycle from a railroad station rack left it where it was found but it was snatched again.

Local police tried the bait plan but didn't have the manpower for a 24-hour stakeout. The bicycle was stolen again after the day shift went off duty, Mainichi Shimbun reported.

That time the bicycle was recovered. Officers again decided on a stakeout.

Within a few hours, the bike disappeared again. This time, it is still missing, and no arrests have been made.

Police have apologized to the owner, a 21-year-old university student from Kasama. She said she would just like to get the bicycle back, since she bought it in March for $146.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.