"John W." wrote:

> From Yomiuri:
>
> "Hiroshima man admits stealing 1,000 bikes"
> http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20030618wo21.htm
>
> "A 67-year-old man sent to prosecutors on suspicion of stealing about
> 20 bicycles has admitted stealing and selling more than 1,000 bicycles
> over a 31-year period, The Yomiuri Shimbun learned Tuesday."

That's nothing. That's less than one a week over a 31 year period. A
flier I got in my mailbox claimed over 11,500 bicycles were reported
stolen in Fukuyama and adjoining Fuchu (which will be assimilated) in a
single year, and hundreds of abandoned bikes per season need to be hauled
away from near the station.

Maybe he was a freeter bike thief.