BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Gabriel Cycles has issued an update on the burglary of its Hampshire-based premises.
The shop, which was ‘ransacked’ by thieves just two weeks after opening its doors for the first time, has issued an update on the event and the impact that it has had on the business.
Thieves stole the majority of high-priced items on the premises in Widley, Waterlooville with a complete value of around £15,500. This included cash takings that were locked in the till.
A complete list of bicycles, including those belonging to customers, included:
Mondraker Vantage R 2018
Mondraker Carbon R 2018
Mondraker Dune 2018
DMR Sled
Orange 5 (customers bike)
Specialised Stump Jumper (customers bike)
Custom Build Orange RS324 which belongs to Sam Gabriel (owner of Gabriel Cycles)
“It was a major setback which we really weren’t expecting so early on,” owner Sam Gabriel told BikeBiz. “We spent months preparing for the opening of the shop, fitting out the premises, opening our trade account and carefully choosing top class bikes and accessories. Things were just starting to pick up and we had actually had our best day of takings on the Wednesday, for the shop to then be ransacked on the Wednesday evening.
“Luckily, we’re insured and will be able to replace the stock in due course, but we just hope our customers will not lose faith in leaving their bikes with us going forwards. We are installing a top of the range, police station-linked alarm system, getting roller doors built as we speak and will be increasing security in other ways to try and prevent this happening again.”
He added: “The support of our customers and the biking community has been overwhelming and we are confident we will overcome this and go on to provide the top class service to our local community we set out to do from the start!”
A cash reward has been offered for any information leading to the arrest of those involved in the crime. Pictures of various high-value stolen items have been added to the shop’s page.
