SCRANTON -- A case of two stolen bikes became a lot more complicated Tuesday when Scranton Police uncovered a bicycle chop shop in the city's west side.
Owners of Savory Maza Restaurant in Scranton, Sonia and Al El Ghazal were at home on Monday when they said a group of four teenagers stole their bicycles right out of their garage.
Sonia lost the bike thieves, but surveillance cameras caught them. The El Ghazal's posted the images on Facebook. They had little hope of getting their bikes back, but the Facebook post spread.
"If you let this go, they're going to do it again and again. It must be stopped, someway or somehow," Al El Ghazal said.
Social media tips led Scranton Police to the 600 block of Meridian Avenue, where they found much more than the two bikes they were looking for. They took two truck loads of bikes and parts back to Police Headquarters. At least one juvenile has been charged with stealing about 15 bikes and trying to sell the parts.
Now, people who may have had a bicycle stolen over the past six months are asked to visit Police Headquarters to see if their bike has been recovered.
Scranton Police credit the El Ghazals for keeping a watchful eye.
"We have to be all one hand, all one eye, all together on that. And police, the Police Department are amazing," Sonia El Ghazal said.