I bet you live in the Bay Area?  Specifically, the east bay? Near Berkeley?<p>There&#x27;s a two well known flea markets where bike thieves sell their stolen property.  Even if you are at the flea market, with you bike&#x27;s serial number in hand, the cops do not come out.<p>A huge guy, who had his bike stolen once too many times advertises in CL.  He will literally show up at the flea market, and take your bike back, after you show him the serial number. (Guys like this do not get enough props.  He does it because it&#x27;s just the right thing to do.)<p>I have never used his services, but have had bikes stolen.  I&#x27;ve literally given up.  My bikes are now pretty much throwaway.  If they are stolen, it&#x27;s no big deal.  I want to buy a motorcyle this summer, but theft is first feature on my mind.<p>Would I prosecute a bike thief?  If I felt they were professionals--yes.  If, I thought it was a yuppie, who gets a rush out of stealing--yes.  If it was a homeless person--no.<p>I saw a great deterrent to bike theft at Target.  Outside the store they had these little pods you put your bike in.  You supply the lock.  They take up too much room for most businesses though, but they look like you could stack them two units high?