With bike thefts up, police urge cautionA rash of bike thefts has Powell police asking residents to take some basic precautions with their cycles.Over the past week, 17 bikes have been reported stolen from various parts of town. Only three have been recovered.

In two odd, separate instances, police officers found abandoned cycles, and while taking them back to the station, their owners reported them stolen.

“It seems like most of these are getting taken from yards, so it would be helpful if people would put their bikes in the garage or lock them up,” said Sgt. Alan Kent.

Another step Kent suggested is getting a license for your bicycle from the police department — a process that is free of charge.

Through licensing a bike, police record the serial number, which can be used to reunite the owner with a bike if it's found. By getting ownership on the record, it also could help police convict thieves if they are caught, Kent said.

To deal with the thefts, Kent said police are “just trying to keep our eyes open” while on patrol.

As to whether the crimes are connected, “we have no idea,” he said.

The sergeant said the number of thefts is unusual — particularly because the bikes are not turning up around town as they typically do.