Today in dumb criminal news: police arrested four men after they bragged about stealing dozens of motorcycles worth $1.3 million in videos on social media.
“In 2025, a group of young men who dubbed themselves the ‘Repo Gang’ used fear and violence to steal motorbikes from across Bristol,” the Avon and Somerset Police wrote in a video announcing the suspects’ arrests.
The gang stole a total of 27 motorcycles, posting footage of many of the thefts on social media
The brazen thieves used specialized equipment to bypass steering locks, immobilizers, and other security measures while operating in broad daylight and riding stolen motorcycles, according to Avon and Somerset Police. They also made threats against any victims and members of the public who tried to stop them.
After thieves stole the motorcycles, they transported them to a “safe” place, where they removed security devices. They then frequently openly promoted them on social media before selling them. According to the police, the group also posted boastful content about the thefts online, including videos of them performing stunts on public roads, which they eventually used as evidence against them.
“They glorify the thefts of the bikes and show them being joyridden away from the scene,” prosecutor Gregory Gordon said, according to Bristol Live.
“As if their actions were not bad enough, the three defendants then had the audacity to boast and gloat about their crimes on social media, being brazen and over-confident enough to believe they would get away with it,” said Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Rich Fear.
“The financial and emotional implications their actions cost the victims cannot be overstated. For many, their motorcycles and mopeds will be their livelihoods, passion, and main form of transport to get to work or to socialize.
“By bragging about their crimes on social media, they demonstrated a complete disregard for the harm and distress they knowingly inflicted on their victims and the wider motorcycle community.”
A judge sentenced the four men to prison
On July 3, the four men entered guilty pleas at Bristol Crown Court and received a combined sentence of 24 years in prison.
“Your attempts were bold, taking place in broad daylight in public areas,” Judge Peter Blair told the thieves. “You took with you angle grinders and screwdrivers to commit the offenses. Passers-by had to observe you and wonder whether to get involved and, those who did, were threatened.
“You then glorified your actions by uploading TikTok videos. I’ve watched the videos of your extraordinary boldness and complete lack of remorse at the time and listened to a series of moving victim statements from people whose lives you’ve ruined.”