http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/19/1079199406613.html
By Bianca Wordley
March 19, 2004 - 12:50PM
It was simply a case of notifying the next of kin, but when police arrived
at the dead man's house they found it packed with bicycles.
Police knew the man had died while attempting to steal a bicycle, but they
didn't expect to find his home packed to the rafters with them.
In the man's three bedroom weatherboard home in the Victorian regional city
of Geelong were 1,000 bicycles and boxloads of bike parts.
Police superintendent Steve Barber said it was understood the man, who was
aged in his 60s, died "in the progress of stealing a bike in Swanston Street
in Melbourne last week".
"On attending the house police found it virtually packed to the brim with
bicycles," Supt Barber said today.
"Some of the rooms were stacked three-high with bikes.
"It was pretty unusual."
Supt Barber said it was unclear how many of the bikes were stolen, as the
man also "had a habit of buying bicycles as well".
"It appears the man was well known to a number of bicycle premises in
Geelong," he said.
"He had also come to be known to police in regards to stealing bicycles."
Supt Barber said police were working around the clock to try to clear the
house of all the bikes which ranged in style and value.
He said it took police four hours and two trucks yesterday just to move 100
bikes from the scene.
It's understood most of the stolen bikes were taken from Melbourne, however,
it would take police some time to unravel the mystery.
Senior Sergeant Adrian Benny, who is working on the case, today said he had
never seen anything like it.
"In every room including his bedroom, bathroom and kitchen there are bikes,
bike helmets, parts, chains, seats and tyres ... it's something else," Sen
Sgt Benny said.
"There are also bikes down the side of the house and there are two sheds
full.
"It's a logistical nightmare."
He said it was "ironic" the man who was known to neighbours as an
"enthusiastic bike collector" died while trying to steal a bike.
"He must have had a bike fetish," he said.
Police have not released details on the man's cause of death.