Motocross bikes worth a quarter of a million dollars stolen, surveillance video shows

SALISBURY, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - Dirt bikes worth a quarter of a million dollars were gone in a matter of minutes after suspects raided a motocross racing team’s warehouse, and it was caught on surveillance cameras.

The owners said they believe the suspects knew exactly what they were taking.

The suspects seemed to be completely unprepared on how to get in. So after several failed attempts, they did it the old-fashioned way — grabbing a rock and bashing in the front window.

“A lot of history has been stolen, a lot of hard work,” said Lonnie Eby, who works as a service tech for Phoenix Racing in Salisbury.

They’ve been making professional motocross bikes for years and have the hardware to prove it. It’s a job they take seriously. “Very seriously,” he said.

That’s why after watching the video captured by surveillance cameras in the pre-dawn hours Monday, he said it’s hard not to take it personally.

“It’s sickening to watch it. It makes you angry but there’s not a lot you can do,” Eby said.

Monday morning, suspects broke into the shop in Salisbury and helped themselves to several professional motocross bikes. But these weren’t your run-of-the-mill two-wheelers. These were championship bikes that have each won major competitions.

“These were expensive bikes, you know, championship bikes, kind of no expense spared on them,” Eby said.

According to security footage, after the crew punched their way in, the first suspect goes for one of the bikes closest to the camera. That’s when he spots something that sends him and his cohorts sprinting for the door — the unflinching gaze of the nightwatchman, a display mannequin decked out in the team apparel.

“They spotted him, thought they had been caught and bailed out of the room,” Eby said as the video played in the background.

After mustering their courage up, the suspects went back to the task at hand, pulling 11 motocross bikes out to the sidewalk. But while this was going on, others tried to break into the team tractor-trailer parked nearby. What the suspects didn’t know was the driver was asleep inside.

“Never had that happen, somebody try to get in the truck when you’re in it,” driver Mike Tierney said.

One of the perps then backed a moving truck up, and all 11 bikes were loaded onboard before being hauled away.

Eby said police believe the crime may have been pulled off by street motorcycle riders looking for a quick buck.

“It’s kind of the norm when a place like this gets broken into and they steal bikes like that,” Eby said.

But because they’re so specialized, that could make them easier to spot. Each bike not only is decaled out with the team logo but gold rims unlike anything on the road out there.

“It’s something the owner of the team has always had a passion for,” Eby pointed out.

And of course, the fear is this could happen again.

“Doors and locks are only for honest people. The dishonest people will always find a way in if they want in,” the service tech said.

Eby said they’re beefing up security so this doesn’t happen again.

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