Thief Steals Recently Deceased Vet's Motorcycle Before Special Ride

DENVER (CBS4) - A widow is making a public plea to anyone who might be able to help her find her late husband's prized motorcycle to come forward.

Veteran Dale Hatcher died a year ago. On Saturday morning family and friends planned a ride in his memory from the Denver area to Kenosha Pass.

Melisa, his widow, and others who were gathered for the ride at a Denver bar wore T-shirts with Dale's image on the back. Family members came from as far away as Illinois.

The plan was to spread Hatcher's ashes, but then tragedy struck.

The group was at McCoy's at 4855 Federal Boulevard when someone stole Dale's motorcycle, which Melisa had been planning to ride.

Surveillance video shows a man in a red hooded sweatshirt and white sneakers getting on the motorcycle while it was parked outside the bar and riding off on it. It's believed a blue SUV was also involved.

"Somebody stole it, all on camera," Melisa told CBS4 a few hours later. "It was locked, and I don't know what they did, obviously they were professionals, they just got on it and took it away."

Denver police have issued an alert telling officers to look for the bike, but so far it hasn't shown up. The motorcycle is a 2004 custom Thunder Mountain Blackhawk.

"A biker community is very tight and we all take care of each other," Melisa said. "I just want it back. I just want the bike back. I have a $5,000 reward for the return of the bike in one piece. Leave it at McCoys right where you found it."

Additional Resources

The motorcycle is described as being a red custom 2004 Harley Davidson Softtail with the licence 658QYT. It has custom wheels and a purple bicycle horn on the front.

Anyone with information is asked to call (720) 985-8385.