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Scooters Often Seen As Easy Targets For Thieves

DENVER (CBS4) – Police in Denver are urging owners of scooters to lock up them up and park them in safe areas.

The warning comes this week after authorities say thefts of scooters in the city have jumped by nearly 50 percent in the past year.

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(credit: CBS)

Surveillance video released by police recently showed a thief walking up to a moped, cutting through the lock and riding away.

That moped was owned by Debbie Finch, and it has never been recovered.

"It was insane how quickly it was done," Finch said, referring to the thief's actions.

"It was one of the worst feelings in the world. For most of us this is our transportation."

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(credit: CBS)

So far this year, police have received reports of 53 stolen scooters compared to 36 reports for the same time frame last year.

They say things like getting an alarm, uniquely marking the scooter so it's easy to spot and parking the scooter near surveillance cameras can help keep the property safe.

LINK: Denver Police Share Scooter Safety Tips

Colin Schattuck is the co-owner of Sportique Scooters on South Broadway. He says he see hears about an attempted theft or a successful theft of a scooter almost every day.

He says thieves who are unsuccessful often leave the owner with expensive repairs.

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CBS4's Karen Morfitt (credit: CBS)

"You can see they spun a couple of wires together here, spun a couple of wires together there, trying to make the correct electrical connections," Schattuck said, showing how the wiring on the front panel of a scooter often gets messed with by crooks.

At Sportique Scooters, Schattuck and his staff recommend scooter owners get locks with interlocking links as opposed to woven strands of steel inside.

"That's much more difficult for a thief to cut," Schattuck said.

Scooter riders should have insurance and have their rides properly registered before driving on Colorado roads.

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