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Police Search For Alleged Tour De Shore Bike Bandits In Rittenhouse Square

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police are searching for suspects wanted in connection with the alleged theft of about 15 bicycles in Rittenhouse Square.

About 150 riders who participated in Sunday's Tour De Shore charity ride were storing their bicycles at The Irish Pub located at the 2000 block of Walnut Street.

WATCH: Surveillance Video, Courtesy Philadelphia Police

According to authorities, early Tuesday morning thieves jumped a fence, got into the property, and made off with 15 of the most expensive bicycles, valued at $22,000.

"It's probably not too smart that they came and took police officers' bikes, but they did," said Mark O'Connor, Irish Pub Partner.

More than 1,600 Tour De Shore riders left Walnut Street early Sunday morning on a 65-mile ride to Atlantic City.

The ride benefits fallen officers and their families, including that of Plymouth Township Officer Brad Fox.

"This year's ride has a very special meaning," said Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman.

Many of the cyclists are police officers, even the Philadelphia District Attorney and Montgomery County District Attorney made the ride this year.

Sunday afternoon tired riders bussed it back with their bikes and locked them up until they could pick them up the next day from the Irish Pub on Walnut Street, stored inside a gated area secured with barbed wire.

"Somebody came by, brought their own ladder and took some bikes," said O'Connor.

But before the riders could get to their bikes, this thief or thieves had a different idea. Surveillance video shows someone in a white pickup allegedly driving away with more than a dozen bikes in the back. The crook lowered a ladder into the gated area and allegedly lifted the bikes over the fence and barbed wire sometime after 1 a.m.

"Not a fair trade. A little wooden ladder with a rung missing and they took some bikes. We're not too happy with that trade at all," said O'Connor.

Taking off with the goods and leaving the ladder behind.

Police say the suspect(s) vehicle was captured on a nearby surveillance video system. The vehicle is described as an older model light colored Ford pickup truck, possibly a Ranger.

This vehicle was last seen traveling west on the 2000 block of Moravian Street at about 4:35 a.m.

There is no description on a suspect(s) at this time.

The ride raised $600,000 to go to various charities.

Anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP or 773847, or call Central Detectives Division at 215-686-3093/3094.

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