Stolen Indians Southeastern Ny State

[D.A.Bagin]

My friends 2 indians were stolen from his barn in Middletown N.Y. the evening of August 27th 2009 while he was home. This was a targeted theft and well organized. One was a 1948 Chief engine #cdh3146 frame # 3481523, blue in color, painstakingly restored by the owner 20plus years ago, no re-pop. 2nd was a 1953 chief red in color, engine #CS6753. frame number not known but is assumed to be matching according to information provided. Again restored by the owner many years ago. These bikes were not ridden very much at all, and haven't been ridden on the street in at least 3 yrs. Consensus of opinion is that these bikes are destined for overseas, so I and my friend appeal not only to U.S members but also our foreign members to look out for these bikes and maybe alert the local authorities to the serial numbers. CONTACT: INVESTIGATOR JAN GOLDEN, N.Y. STATE POLICE 845-344-5352 D.A. Bagin #3166

[c.o.]

Sorry to hear about your buddy getting ripped off. I really hate to hear that this thieving crap still goes on. I'd keep my eyes out on e-bay too..... Everybody who reads this should write down the serial #'s and pay attention.

[gary.h]

hearing stuff like this just makes me sick!!sorry for your friends loss i hope they turn up and the thieves shot! a man works pretty damn hard to find bikes like that and then the hours of care and maitnence and the relationship one has with them...them maggot thieves not only stole bikes they took your friends soul away with em..once again sorry to hear about it,and wishing all the best.

[Paps]

Damn Dirtbags !!!!!!

[Buzz Kanter]

Hate to hear it and sorry for you pal.

Sure hope they get caught and get everything they deserve.

[portagepan]

Can we still hang horse thieves?
Mike

[D.A.Bagin]

These bikes have not yet surfaced. I ask our foreign members to be on the lookout as it is believed these are going overseas and should be arriving soon.

[Joe G]

Just curious as to why the authorities think they are likely to go overseas? (easier to fence is probably the likely reason). Also are these bikes likely to be traded as complete bikes or in pieces?

My heart goes out to your buddy.

Joe

[wideglide38]

So sorry to hear of your friends loss! I second the hanging of horse thieves! Will note the serial numbers and spread the word! Best of luck with their recovery!
William

[D.A.Bagin]

Some of the reasons it is believed these are headed overseas are it will be extremely difficult to unload these in parts or together in this area. as we all know the antique motorcycle group is a small percentage of motorcycle riders and alot of us know each other. This was a targeted theft, not, Oh, gee, theres an indian, lets go steal it. Whoever took these bikes knew what they were, stole them while they were home, and it took a minimum of four people to take them from where they were. Six cities with international shipping docks are 60 min away. They will command a much greater profit overseas. These people are in it for the money, not the bikes.

[pete reeves]

I don’t know why people immediately assume that a stolen antique bike is likely to end up abroad?

If these scum bags send a stolen bike to another country they will have to run the risk of being caught by the U.S. customs when it leaves your country, and then it will have to pass through the customs again when it arrives at the country it is sent too,
It will then have to be registered to a new owner in that country.

Some bikes will end up abroad, but I suspect that most bikes stolen in the U.S. probably stay there. After all you have the largest market; the parts required too change the machines identity like cases are readily available as are the number stamps. (Available at Davenport this year) It also seems fairly easy to register a bike with no history by using a titling service like that from Alabama.
Most bikes are likely to be striped for parts which are then sold at swap meets and Ebay.

Pete Reeves 860

[Paps]

Thieves have a new tool for shipping overseas now Pete. It is called free ride in an 18 wheeler into Mexico. They just load the bikes into the fruit and vegetable frieght boxes for the return trip south of the boarder. From Mexico....they board ship. Paps

[Ohio-Rider]

Tons of motorcycle parts enter and leave this country daily. The crooks know that customs will give a complete bike a good looking over but bike parts rarely get looked at, so the crooks disassemble the stolen bikes into pieces and ship them oversees where their buddies then reassemble them and they are never seen again. Where there is a will there is always a way.

[D.A.Bagin]

There has been an arrest in this case. A suspect is being held on 20,000 bail. hopefully he is doing BUBBAS laundry right now. More to follow. D.A.B. #3166

[chiefj48]

There has been an arrest in this case. A suspect is being held on 20,000 bail. hopefully he is doing BUBBAS laundry right now. More to follow. D.A.B. #3166

kewl!!!!! that is very good news!!!

[Paps]

Yes....That is great news. I sure hope he can't post the bail ! Paps

[micmac]

Hopefully the bikes were recovered as well.

[D.A.Bagin]

Pete, you were pretty much on the money. According to the report, a search warrant was served on one ADAM POTOCKI of Newburgh N.Y. approx 20 miles from the theft and a large quantity of motorcycle parts were seized. Most of the 48 is unfortunatly gone but most of the, as it turns out original paint 53, has been recovered. More arrests are pending. D.A.B. #3166

[flat-happy]

that's great news----i think they should be made to attend rhinebeck and let us decide their fate

[T. Cotten]

Let's just hope that he rolls over on his network.

I'll bet there's some nervousness in Newburgh still!

....Cotten

[kval]

Pete, you were pretty much on the money. According to the report, a search warrant was served on one ADAM POTOCKI of Newburgh N.Y. approx 20 miles from the theft and a large quantity of motorcycle parts were seized. Most of the 48 is unfortunatly gone but most of the, as it turns out original paint 53, has been recovered. More arrests are pending. D.A.B. #3166

D.A.B.
if you can get a booking mug shot of the dirt bag, post it so everybody knows who to look for:D

[D.A.Bagin]

Hey, Flat, according to VERY reliable info he WAS at Rhinebeck last year as a spectator. He's not a member of the club as far as i can tell. May have been at White Rose. The N.Y. State Police arrested him and he is currently in the Orange county jail. Hopefully he can't make bail and will be there until trial as Bubba's maid and girlfriend. Jan Golden was the lead investigator and deserves a big THANK YOU for not letting this sit on the back burner. So from me to you Jan, a big THANK YOU!!!!! D.A.B #3166

[D.A.Bagin]

A second arrest was made. Looks like these guys liked indians and were pretty busy. Check out ad #s 428-429-498-552-608 in '09 and 32 in 2010 on George's. Maybe someone will see their parts or bike. I know its a long shot, but if anyone had dealings with him and want to help stick it to them call the # in the above post. There's also an 80 yr old mans mid 30s four missing from the same area. Nice guys.

[Bills37]

that's great news----i think they should be made to attend rhinebeck and let us decide their fate



It would never happen, but I love the idea. :cool:


Wow, went back and checked the ads on George's. This scum bag has been busy.

[D.A.Bagin]

The second person charged in this case RICHARD OSTNER, 24 of New Windsor N.Y. has pled guilty to 2nd degree criminal possesion of stolen property, a felony, in conjuction with this theft and the theft of a fatboy and heavy equipment valued at $380,000. According to reports he will be sentenced to 2-6 yrs in state prison. Guess he won't be at Rhinebeck this year. ONE DOWN AND ONE TO GO. D.A.B. #3166

[micmac]

Mebbe we should attend their parole hearings.

[40 Nuck]

Ostner's pic is in story at midhudsonnews.com ... he looks like a dirtbag

[40 Nuck]

Photo of stolen red '53 (looked ... note use of past tense ... beautiful) and story at

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100301/LIFE02/3010301

A portion of this beautiful bike was recovered in cardboard boxes.

[acemoto]

Who is this adam potocki ,i understand Randy Zorn is rebuilding a Indian motor for him. he called me wanting parts and then wanted to trade a 1945 Chief and a 1936 harley VLD.
He told me that he had 2 KJs and sold a redding standard and 53 chief to Europe
at this point after reading this Blog I will manage to avoid his calls
Larry

[D.A.Bagin]

I guess he is back in buisness. Tiger usually doesn't change its stripes. Funny, the same person he stole the Indians from has a Reading. And his 53 that was previously stolen albeit still apart. Guess I'll check this out. Thanks for the info. We as a club should weed these undesirables out and expose them for who they are.