Victim, police collaborate in bike sting

Woman attempts to sell man's bicycle to him on Craigslist

MADISON, Wis. — Police said a Madison woman was charged with theft after a victim set up a sting to recoup his stolen bike.

It all began this past weekend when a 26-year-old Madison man’s $640 Trek bicycle was stolen from a rack in the 30 block of South Mills Street. The bike had been locked.

Fortunately the owner had installed an attachment beneath the seat to hold the lock, and it is rather distinctive. That is one of the reasons he was able to identify the bike when it popped up for sale on Craigslist.

The victim negotiated with the seller, who police identified as 24-year-old Sequoyah E.M. Branch. The two agreed to meet near Memorial Union on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus Monday afternoon. Branch had hoped to walk away with $150.

Instead a Madison officer strolled up and asked her about the bike. She claimed it belonged to her husband, but he no longer needed it.

The victim was able to provide the original manufacturer’s sale tag, which included the bike’s serial number. Police said Branch then changed her story, and claimed she bought the bike from “some guy” for $30.

Branch was arrested on suspicion of theft.

30 block North Mills Street