12:00pm Saturday 21st September 2002
A WORCESTER teenager has begged his parents to "sell up and move" after thieves stole his prized BMX bike in broad daylight.
Fourteen-year-old Lewis Rinaldi says he no longer trusts the area of Warndon Villages after brazen thieves walked past a lounge window and stole his prized BMX stunt bike from inside a front porch.
The green Ruption bike was taken from a nearby friend's house at White Hill, Warndon Villages, at around 3pm on Sunday, September 15.
The bike, valued at £160, had been bought exactly one week before by Lewis's dad, Dean, so that the teenager could ride to Nunnery Wood High School, which he attends, and back.
"I don't know why they've done this," said Lewis. "I don't know how they managed to find it. I just want them to bring it back."
His mum, Ros, said the theft had left her son so shocked and upset that he had asked his parents to sell the family home in Warndon Villages, and move to another part of Worcester.
"Lewis has been devastated by this. That bike was his pride and joy," she said.
"He really feels that he's let us down, and is very, very upset. He now says that he doesn't want us to stay in our house any longer because he doesn't trust this area and wants us to move to another part of Worcester.
"It's not right when a 14-year-old boy is made to feel like that."
But she urged any parent who may have spotted the bike in a shed or garage to report it to the police.
"I've been told by the police that often bikes and things are hidden in garages and sheds for a while before trying to sell them on or re-spraying it," added his mother, of Daty Croft, Warndon Villages.
"I'd urge any parent who sees a bike they have not bought or are suspicious about to contact police."
Worcester police confirmed the bike was stolen from the porch of the house. Anyone with information should call 01905 723888, quoting crime number c/623800.
"Unfortunately, in this day and age, it's not advisable to leave a bike unsecured in plain view, even if it's on or in a property," said Kim Stain, of Worcester police.
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