Stolen motorcycles investigated in El Paso County

The Village East Apartments near Galley Road and Hathaway Drive just east of Colorado Springs were targeted by thieves. A victim said around 5 a.m. Monday, his motorcycle and two others were taken from the same carport.

Brandon Rankin, 21, said his Kawasaki motorcycle was parked at the complex where his brother lives. The Colorado State Patrol called Rankin to tell him the vehicle was found in the intersection a short distance away, damaged from an apparent crash. The two other stolen motorcycles remain missing.

Rankin said he can’t afford the $3,000 it will cost to repair his motorcycle, and he’ll have to share his mother’s truck for transportation.

“I went through a lot to get that bike,” he said. “Back in February of last year, I was in a head-on collision — and by going through that, I was able to get the settlement to purchase that motorcycle.”

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident. Authorities say so far, there is no pattern of motorcycle thefts in the area.

The license plate numbers for the missing motorcycles are 371-YEY AND 774-UBK. Contact local authorities if you see them.