The Erie Police Department is alerting residents to a recent increase in electric bike thefts across the city and is asking the public for help in both prevention and investigation.

According to a statement posted on Facebook, officers are receiving more reports involving stolen electric bikes, but many cases lack crucial identifying details, making follow-up investigations difficult.

Police are urging residents to take the following steps to protect their electric bikes:

   •Secure bikes with a lock or store them inside a locked house, garage, or shed

   •Record the bike’s serial number on the day of purchase and store it safely

   •Place bikes within view of a security or doorbell camera if possible

   •Keep porch lights on and consider installing home security cameras

   •Add identifying stickers or etched markings to help officers identify recovered bikes

Anyone with information about recent electric bike thefts is encouraged to contact the Erie Police Department at (814) 870-1125.