I know where my stolen bike is, can you take a picture for me please?
Tl;Dr: My bike got stolen and immediately transported 700km away to a small town in Romania. The GPS Tracker is working so I know where it is. But before I drive 12 hours to try and recover it I would love to get visual confirmation that it is where the GPS says it is.
So I woke up about a month ago and checked my phone to find a list of new notifications that the geofence for my bike was broken. I bought a semi expensive (~1200Euro) E-Bike a year ago, so that was distressing news.
I hopped into the app to see what was going on and according to the app my bike was on the motorway on the eastern border of Hungary, heading into Romania. Not a great start to the day...
(Sidenote: when you have a geofence active add the app to the list of apps that is allowed to display notifications even if the phone is in do not disturb mode over night. Ask me how I know)
Anyways the bike quickly entered Romania and settled in Cermei https://maps.app.goo.gl/H4Ln9CxhXH6NJkXv8 for a few days.
It then bounced around the area for a few days before settling down in Călugăreni near Arad. To be precice exactly here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c9p8hDX7dVdamXMg6
So this is where I am at today. I am willing to go drive there and get my bike. I am willing to pay a sensible, let's call it, finders fee for whoever is in possession of the bike. But before I do something stupid I would love to get some Intel if the bike can actually be visually located there, and what the situation around the bike is. For example is it on a private property? Is it for sale? Etc.
But I am also open to any and all suggestions how to proceed. This is my first attempt to recover a stolen bike from a foreign country after all...
So if you happen to be in the area and are willing to drive by that house and take a few pictures for me that would be greatly appreciated! I can give further information if required.
And yes I did contact the police. I was told that I was perfectly within my rights to bother them with the paperwork but that they can guarantee that nothing more will come of it and it will just be a hassle for everyone involved.
Edit: for those who wanted to see pictures: https://imgur.com/a/OduI5Ao