News that's almost too good to be true.For every kid that's ever had their bike stolen ... and knows that sick to your stomach feeling of having your ride disappear ... here's one for the good guys at Good Times. Rick Moliterno is the shop's owner, former Pro Racer, and founder of the Standard Byke Company ... this is the kind of thing that will only add to his legend.Local BMX legend chases down bike thief 30 years his junior
Posted Online: March 18, 2009, 7:07 pm
Comment on this story Print this story Email this storyBy Brian Krans,
bkrans@qconline.comDAVENPORT — Here's some advice: Don't steal a bike near the Goodtimes Superstore, especially if a pro BMX biker is watching."
I just look out for the kids, regardless," said Rick Moliterno, freestyle BMX legend and owner of Goodtimes and locally made Standard Byke Co. Looking out for the kids includes chasing down a bike thief 30 years his junior.
Sunday afternoon, 15-year-old Trae Edwards was in Mr. Moliterno's shop at 1601 W. Locust St., looking at new pedals for his pieced-together BMX bike. Unable to afford them, he went across the street to a Wendy"s restaurant to grab a sandwich with the few dollars he had. He left his bike unlocked outside the restaurant — a decision he later regretted.
"My girlfriend, Jessie (Smeltzer), saw him from upstairs and thought, ‘Man, he should have left (his bike) at Goodtimes," " Mr. Moliterno said. "A few minutes later, Jessie says, ‘Some kid"s stealing his bike."
"Mr. Moliterno immediately threw on some shoes and grabbed his bike, asking his girlfriend, "What does he look like, and where did he go?"
The thief, described as about 14 years old, had a two-block lead on Mr. Moliterno, 44. But Mr. Moliterno is no slouch on a bike. In the last 30 years he had became famous, first for cutting his teeth on BMX bike tracks and later performing tricks on the streets. "It was kind of funny because the kid just stole a bike across the street from the place bikes are sold and designed, right in front of a guy who makes them," he said.
Karma also stepped in for Mr. Moliterno: one of the pedals Mr. Edwards wanted to replace fell off, slowing the thief's getaway. Mr. Moliterno caught up to the assailant on 14th Street and said firmly, "Hey, I gotta have that bike now. I'm not going to turn you in, just hand it over."The thief complied and left, but not before Mr. Moliterno gave him a bit of advice: "Don't steal bikes, especially BMX bikes.
"Meanwhile, Ms. Smeltzer had picked up Mr. Edwards in a truck. By the time they caught up with Mr. Moliterno, he was towing Mr. Edwards" bike behind his own.
"Rick's a beast," Mr. Edwards said. Mr. Moliterno was just happy he could prevent one more kid from dealing with the heartbreak and anger of getting ripped off. "That feeling is sick," he said. "A lot of bikes get stolen. It's good to get at least one back."
