BOISE, Idaho — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the theft of two specialized competition bicycles belonging to Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong. The bicycles are believed to have been stolen while in transit from Germany to Idaho.
The theft was reported yesterday to U.S. Customs and Border Protection after Armstrong's husband opened the imported bike cases, only to find them empty. HSI special agents were called in to investigate.
In a statement released Tuesday by Exergy TWENTY12, Armstrong said: "The bikes mean so much to me. My TT bike is a symbol of all the hard work that has been put in to this journey. It is sad to think that somebody out there has taken this away from me and my family."
Armstrong's Olympic Gold medal winning Felt DA Time Trial Bike and her Felt F1 Road Bike – both SRAM and Zipp equipped – had been on display at Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, Germany, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. The bikes were packaged and shipped by courier back to the United States Sept. 7, departing Bremen, Germany, to Frankfurt, Germany, and on to Atlanta for the final leg of the journey to Boise, via Salt Lake City.
According to the team, the replacement cost for both bikes is estimated at over $20,000.
Exergy Development Group, Armstrong's team sponsor, has stated it is offering a "substantial award for the return or knowledge of the whereabouts of these bikes."
HSI special agents in the U.S. and Germany are investigating. Anyone with information about this case should contact the HSI Tip-Line (24 hours a day) at 866-347-2423 (from U.S., Mexico, Canada), 1-802-872-6199 (from any country in the world) or online at http://www.ice.gov/tips.
HSI combats worldwide criminal enterprises who seek to exploit America's legitimate trade, travel and financial systems and enforces America's customs and immigration laws at and beyond our nation's borders.
Photo 1
Photo 2
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo credit:
Bikes – Joe Savola
KA Race – AP
You may also visit us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, or access this news release on your mobile device.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security.
ICE is a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities. For more information, visit www.ICE.gov. To report suspicious activity, call 1-866-347-2423 or complete our tip form.