MASON CITY — Police are urging residents to lock up their cycling equipment after six bicycles were stolen from a parking lot in downtown Mason City over the weekend.
The bicycles belonging to guests of the Historic Park Inn Hotel were reported stolen Monday morning.
Investigators believe they were stolen between 11 p.m. Sunday and 3:30 a.m. Monday from bicycle racks on the guests’ cars parked near the hotel, said Mason City Police Lt. Rich Jensen.
He said bicycle theft has been on the rise in Mason City this year, which is why residents should take extra precautions to safeguard cycling equipment.
That means keeping them in a locked garage or in a house because it’s becoming increasingly common for thieves to take bikes from unlocked sheds or garages, Jensen said.
He urged owners to register their bicycle with the city, which is free, and make a note of the serial number.
They should also keep a record of what the bike looks like.
“Take photos of your bike, put them on your phone (and) save those photos,” Jensen said. “Be able to give a good description of your bicycle.”
Anyone with information on the thefts can contact Mason City police at 641-421-3636.