Young Ukrainian woman tracks down her stolen bicycle like a detective

Antalya-based 22-year-old advertising and marketing specialist Mishel Lazerenko tracked down the thieves who stole her 10,000 TL bicycle by acting like a detective through an account she created under the name 'Damla'. A large number of stolen bicycles and motorcycles were found in the truck of the thieves, who were caught by the police.

The incident took place in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya. Mishel Lazerenko's bicycle, which she had purchased shortly before for 10,000 TL, was stolen from the locked area at the entrance of her apartment building.

Upon returning from work to find her bicycle missing, Lazerenko was deeply saddened and initially thought someone was playing a prank. Realizing this was not the case, Lazerenko reported the situation to the police and also opened an account under the name 'Damla' on a second-hand goods sales platform.

While searching the platform, Lazerenko saw that her bicycle was listed for sale for 6,000 TL. The young Ukrainian woman followed the listing for a day or two, negotiated, managed to lower the price to 5,000 TL, and requested a location from the sellers. The next day, Lazerenko raided the provided address with the police.

The young woman was overjoyed to confirm that the bicycle was hers by checking the serial number. The Public Security Branch Office's Theft Bureau teams found a large number of bicycles and motorcycles both at the address and inside the cargo bed of a locked truck during their investigation.

Lazarenko stated that she has been living in Turkey for 12 years and works in advertising and marketing.

Expressing that she has been living in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya for 5 years, Lazerenko said that her bicycle, which was worth approximately 10,000 TL, was stolen from in front of her house.

"I OPENED AN ACCOUNT NAMED DAMLA"

Explaining that she realized her newly purchased bicycle was missing when she came home one evening, Lazerenko said, "I was both surprised and sad; I thought it was a joke. I immediately opened an account named 'Damla' on an application where second-hand goods are sold. As a result of my searches, I found my bicycle listed on this sales platform. I used a Turkish name and wanted it to attract less attention. I contacted the person who posted the ad; they had put my bicycle up for sale for 6,000 TL. I got them down to 5,000. The next morning, they sent me a location. We went to the scene with the police. I reached my bicycle. I compared it using the serial number and it was my bicycle. Several stolen bicycles and motorcycles were also found at the scene. Stolen bicycles were also found inside the truck that was opened," she said.

"WE CAN CALL THIS DETECTIVE WORK"

Stating that even though she felt hopeless, she believed she could reach her bicycle, Lazerenko said, "I really wanted to find my bicycle and I did. We can call this detective work. They say I bought it with hard-earned money. I was very happy when I got my bicycle back. I valued it very much. I hope other people get their bicycles back too. I started bringing my bicycle inside and locking it with a thick motorcycle lock. Every time I come and go from the house, I check to see if my bicycle is there. I am much more careful now," she expressed.