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Just a little safer runs.

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JCZ:
Well, Sturgis and other runs might be just a little bit safer now (but don't ever let your guard down).........



Motorcycle thief gets maximum sentence
By Heidi Bell Gease, Journal Staff Writer

STURGIS -- A Pennsylvania man arrested with stolen motorcycles and parts during last year's Sturgis motorcycle rally was sentenced Monday in Meade County to the maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

David Gebert, 57, of Buffalo Township, Pa., could receive another 10 years in prison and another $10,000 fine when he is sentenced today in Pennington County on related charges.

Gebert and his wife, Linda Gebert, 56, were arrested last Aug. 4 at the Black Hills Harley-Davidson dealership in Rapid City when a man saw David Gebert attempting to ride away on the man's motorcycle.

Police later searched the Geberts' campsite near Sturgis, where they found three more stolen motorcycles and parts reported stolen during the Daytona, Fla., bike rally. The couple's son, 24-year-old Justin Gebert, was charged along with his parents in Meade County.

As part of a plea agreement with local prosecutors, David Gebert pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft in Pennington County, and to one count of grand theft by possession of stolen property and one count of trafficking in stolen vehicles in Meade County. In exchange, additional charges against David Gebert, and all charges against Linda and Justin Gebert, were dropped.

In court Monday before 4th Circuit Judge Warren Johnson, defense attorney Patrick Duffy argued that Gebert should receive a light sentence because he didn't have a criminal record. He also pointed out that Gebert, a former shop teacher who holds a master's degree, has been married to the same woman for 33 years.

"This is a probation case," he said.

Meade County State's Attorney Jesse Sondreal disagreed, saying the court should consider all related evidence, including uncharged prior crimes.

"It's not just the motorcycles that Mr. Gebert has pleaded guilty to (stealing)," he said. "It's all the motorcycles that were found in or near his possession."

When police searched the Geberts' campsite, they found a list of motorcycles that were reported stolen from previous rallies, Sondreal noted.

"I think he's been fooling a lot of people for a long time," Sondreal said. "This isn't just a random case of theft. This is an ongoing criminal enterprise that was shut down by the Rapid City Police Department, the DCI (Division of Criminal Investigation), and the Meade County Sheriff's Office."

The Pennsylvania State Police also is investigating the Gebert family. The Butler (Pa.) Eagle newspaper reported that authorities had served at least six search warrants on the couple's home and business, seizing truckloads of motorcycles, parts, computer records, documents and other items. Charges are pending.

The 4th Circuit Court case was originally assigned to Judge Jerome Eckrich. Judge Johnson replaced Eckrich after an attorney for the Gebert family requested that Eckrich be removed from the case.

Duffy declined to comment after sentencing. His client will be sentenced today in Rapid City by 7th Circuit Judge Thomas L. Trimble.

starvin:
A girl I work with went to Daytona last year with her boyfriend, towed thier bikes, she just got a new custom built softail. The second day there his bike was stolen so they went to the harley shop and got a different seat and passenger pegs on hers so they could ride two up, that night hers was stolen, with no bikes to ride they decided to come back early and go up north snowmobiling. On the way up north her machine fell off the trailer and crashed on the road.  Now thats a bad vacation.

mr_magoo:
JCZ am I wrong or do you get more time for stealing a bike than killing a guy on a bike. South Dakota must be a great state.  [smiley=confused5.gif]

Road_Hog:
Definately sends a message out there.  Having been in the auto theft industry for a while, we have seen some pretty good sentences on bike theives here in So. Cal.  Pretty good out here is anywhere from probation (depending on priors) to over ten years in prison.  Also there's a lot of vin switching going on out here with certain groups as well.

Never seen a CVO stolen out here, they mostly target the custom softails, fatboys, and complete customs.  Our bikes, as of yet, do not fit their profile.   [smiley=xyxthumbs.gif]

JCZ:

--- Quote ---JCZ am I wrong or do you get more time for stealing a bike than killing a guy on a bike. South Dakota must be a great state.
--- End quote ---

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