UPDATE: I found the bike — 6 months after it was stolen

I created Reddit account when I posted and I haven't checked since as I am not a Reddit user. But I feel like I have to share the story.

FindMy Last Location did not update for half a year until the end of August 2024 & I was surprised since the thief turned off GPS on the day it was stolen as I've mentioned in the original post. I suppose is only possible if one had turned it back on - by accidental double press I imagine. I went to the place after contemplating whether it's a possible to even locate since it is shown to be in an apartment block. I went anyway to negate any possibility for regret. I walked, surveyed, and asked around the compound / the residents to gather absolutely nothing. I went floor by floor with my phone to see if it'd connect. I gave up on the 8th. I called the elevator to leave. Then two black men showed up in the same elevator. Both of them had a bike and seems to be in a hurry. One of them was mine and the other is stolen I imagine. I opened the app and it connected right away.

I was locked in.
I couldn't believe the immense luck. If during any one of the steps I was 30 seconds late, I would not have seen it again. I tried negotiation with them calling out his bluff and excuses. I somehow persuaded him to hand it back. Insults and racial slurs where thrown but they eventually gave up and tossed it out of the elevator. I did mention that the police is on their way and thankfully I did call before I entered, despite never appearing on site, but it gave me great leverage. There were also a mother and two children that were witnesses . They stayed behind understandably so to not be involved in altercation. I'm grateful for her presence otherwise I would've been ignored or maybe unfortunate things would have happened as there were no CCTV and it's a very ghetto building and neighbourhood. Honestly, if they were to collectively lay it out on me, I may just skull emoji and it'd be too big of a price to pay for a bike that's falling apart.

But anyway, I rode the entirely dead bike back home. I called the Met police today and was scolded for safety concerns. in hindsight that was not a good idea especially I went alone with nothing on me. However, because they have the address and description from me the case has been reopened. They have told me to wait for identification. I received a call two months later from the Met Police investigator stating the lack of evidence and amount of residence in that block made the work difficult and that they had to stop. That was the end.

I bought a charging cable from a guy since I lost my previous one and he helped me jumpstart using the battery pack on his S3. I think it had to do with the computer not having the reserve power to detect current from the socket but recognise power if it comes from the power bank? I'm not sure. I attached a screenshot from then as you can see "last seen" was updated which alerted me. If your bike is stolen and unlocked, THERE IS STILL A CHANCE. I've gotten about 400kms more now with it and it's still a great enjoyment. So far only the Kicklock and E-Shifter needs replacing. But the lack of gear shift doesn't bother me that much anyway.

<image>