Sedalia police start bicycle registration system

The Sedalia Police Department has set up an online registration to improve chances of returning stolen bicycles to their owners.

Every year police recover 300 to 400 bicycles, most of which are stolen, said Sgt. Mike Perkins. The bikes are found in yards or on the side of the road; hundreds are auctioned when the department's storage shed becomes overcrowded.

When police officers take reports of stolen bikes, the serial number is usually not available. Police officers hope residents spend five minutes entering bicycle serial numbers on the Web site registration. . . .

Most stolen bikes are taken from yards and porches. People should remember to lock them up or bring them in, Sgt. Perkins said.