Huge bike theft from Paralympian’s shop

A number of high value bikes have been stolen from Bikehaus in Gatley, a shop co-owned by two-time Paralympic silver medallist, Jon-Allan Butterworth. The thieves gained entry through the roof and appear to have been quite selective in what they took.

Police say that the theft took place at some point between Monday evening and Tuesday morning and thus far no witnesses have come forward. The thieves were also not picked up by CCTV.

Butterworth, an ex-RAF serviceman who became a Paralympic cyclist after losing his left arm in Iraq in 2007, co-owns Bikehaus with business partner Andy Hilton. He told the Manchester Evening News that the thieves had gained entry through the roof.

“We assumed the shop was secure because there is a steel back door, but they have climbed up on the roof, created a hole and then brought down internal fire doors – you can’t prepare for that.”

Butterworth and Hilton have expressed surprise that more wasn’t taken, but believe that the thieves were being selective.

“They have clearly been in the shop before and known what was valuable and what was worth taking. But there are some items which are pretty unique and would have been easily recognised and they have left those behind.”

The pair are still taking stock, but list the following as having been taken:

• Ridley Helium SL with pro lite wheels (ex-team bike)
• Ridley Dean with Pro lite disc and 50mm tub front (ex team bike)
• Various Modas' – Molto, Rubato, Bolero, Fresco
• Focus Cayo – red/black ultegra build 56cm, green/black ultegra build 54cm
• Focus Mares 56cm – black with guards
• Pinarello Paris in Sky colours with Kyrsium SLS
• Felt F3 with Zipp 30s
• Felt TK2 with FFWD F9T with Powertap and 3t Scatto bars
• Zipp 60s in conti wheel bag
• FFWD F9T wheels is matching wheel bag – brand new

Butterworth would like people to keep an eye out for any of these items, especially online.

“The most likely place people will be trying to sell the bikes is eBay, if you do spot a bike online you believe has come from our store let us know and we can confirm it and let the police know.”

If you have information, you can contact police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Racing at the 2012 London Paralympics, Butterworth won a silver medal in the 1km time trial C4-5 – an event in which he is a former world record holder – and a second silver medal in the individual pursuit C5. He and Hilton opened Bikehaus earlier this year with Dame Sarah Storey cutting the ribbon.