Thief steals Ducati during Gumtree test drive

[Junkyard-Dog]

A crafty thief concocted an elaborate plot to steal a Ducati motorbike during a Gumtree test drive gone wrong that has left the owner out of pocket more than $17,000.
Warren Harrison had advertised his 2015 Ducati 899 Panigale online via the popular classifieds website when he was contacted by a potential buyer interested in taking it for a spin.



Warren Harrison with his 2015 Ducati 899 Panigale. Photo: Supplied Mr Harrison's ad described the bike as "one of the best, if not THE best-looking bike on the road today" and something that "attracts attention wherever you take it".
"Please no test pilots or tyre kickers," he also wrote.


The Gumtree ad described the bike as "one of the best, if not THE best-looking bike on the road today''. Photo: Supplied The 39-year-old was contacted by a man who said his name was Steve Williams and claimed to be from Bondi Junction in Sydney. They organised a test ride at his Glen Waverley home for Wednesday at 5.30pm.
When the man showed up, Mr Harrison made "Steve" sign a waiver form that would absolve him from any crashes or fines during the test drive.
Steve didn't have a licence on him but made excuses about how he left home in a hurry and didn't take it with him.
"He had his father on the phone, obviously it was all pre-rehearsed," Mr Harrison said. "Because it sounded all genuine, there was no reason not to trust him."



Texts sent by the bike thief during a test ride gone wrong. Photo: Supplied After an initial red flag over the licence, Mr Harrison handed over the keys. The insurance company would later say this meant he was not covered for theft.
About 20 minutes later, Mr Harrison received a phone call from Steve, who said he had been pulled over by police for speeding.
He also said the police wouldn't let him leave until they spoke with the owner of the bike. He said he was at the corner of Warrigal Road and the Nepean Highway in Mentone.
When Mr Harrison arrived soon after, Steve and the Ducati could not be found. Texts were suddenly not being answered and his phone was now switched off.
Mr Harrison called home and asked his wife to check outside for the car that Steve arrived in. It was gone.
He knew he had been ripped off.
"It was just a ploy to get me away from the house so a friend could get the car," Mr Harrison said. "The amount of detail that has gone into this is amazing."
The theft has been reported to police, but Mr Harrison's insurance company told him he would not be covered because he gave the thief the keys.
Mr Harrison now realises that his biggest mistake was not holding firm on the licence.
He thought at the time that Steve's motorbike leathers were a bit scruffy to be able to afford a luxury bike but put it down to his upgrading to a newer machine.
Steve had also spun a long story about how he couldn't get good bikes in NSW and that he was in town visiting his uncle.
All of it was made up.
"He had a backstory like you wouldn't believe," Mr Harrison said.
Apparently this kind of theft is not uncommon. After reporting the theft to his Ducati dealership, Mr Harrison said he was told of at least six recent incidents of bikes being stolen during test rides.
The thief is described as 180 centimetres tall, of slender build and of Indian heritage.
The stolen Ducati has the registration 1T2TN. Steve turned up to the test drive in an older model red and gold Nissan Patrol.

Another reminder that allowing a prospective buyer to test drive your vehicle can mean losing it forever. Know what you're doing before handing over the keys.

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/motorbike-thief-hatches-fake-police-plot-to-steal-ducati-during-gumtree-test-drive-20160908-grbyw0.html