Caught on camera: E-scooter thefts on the rise on UC's campus

Caught on camera: E-scooter thefts on the rise on UC's campus University of Cincinnati police are addressing a pattern of e-scooter and e-bike thefts by offering free U-locks and encouraging students to secure their rides. Advertisement Updated: 7:18 AM EST Nov 9, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Giacomo Luca Reporter Caught on camera: E-scooter thefts on the rise on UC's campus University of Cincinnati police are addressing a pattern of e-scooter and e-bike thefts by offering free U-locks and encouraging students to secure their rides. Updated: 7:18 AM EST Nov 9, 2026 Editorial Standards ⓘ Giacomo Luca Reporter CINCINNATI — E-scooters and e-bikes are being targeted by thieves at the University of Cincinnati, prompting efforts from campus safety officials to prevent the high-value thefts. Since August, at least 40 thefts have been reported at bike racks across campus, with thieves focusing on e-scooters and e-bikes that are either unlocked or secured with easily breakable cable or chain locks. Advertisement “You see them scoping them out,” said Lt. Jennifer McMahon with UC Police. “They’ll walk by a couple of times. They zone in on the ones that they know will be easier— cable locks and the chain locks.” McMahon says the thefts often take place in a matter of seconds, usually by a group of suspects looking for unsecured or improperly secured e-scooters. UC Public Safety shared video of two thefts, where suspects rode off with e-scooters after wiggling cable locks loose, without the need for cutters. To address the issue, UC police are tagging rides that are not properly secured and providing information on how students can obtain a free, hard-to-break U-lock from campus police. Students are also encouraged to register their rides with the university in case they are stolen. However, police stress that the best way to prevent theft is to secure bikes and scooters properly. Make WLWT a preferred source on Google Add Preferred Source Share Infinite Scroll Enabled Top Picks Joe Biden to limit memoir promotion tour, says cancer 'slows me down' Police: Gunman who killed at least 6 people in Polish city square dies in hospital Coin flip settles a tie in a northern Kentucky election 'Little Rascals' star creates GoFundMe ahead of welcoming sixth child: 'No other choice'