news-record.com

GREENSBORO - Call it the case of the stolen StreetPlane.

One of the most unusual looking motorized vehicles in Greensboro - "WACEMALL-1," - the three-wheeled motorized bicycle owned by local blogger and former mayoral candidate Billy Jones, aka Billy the Blogging Poet, has been stolen.

Jones said he returned from work Tuesday afternoon to find the bike missing from the front yard of his home off Textile Drive.

He chained the wheels together so it wouldn't roll, but it wasn't chained to anything else. He believes two people picked it up and carried it off.

"They took the locks and all," Jones said. "It weighs over 200 pounds, and I wasn't worried anyone was going to ride it off."

The bike, built in 2006 as a part of an advertising campaign, is designed in the style of a 1920s-style aero biplane. It's been featured in newspapers, magazines and on Discovery Channel Canada.

The bike also served as a backdrop in many photographs with people throughout the community.

To say the StreetPlane is sentimental to Jones is an understatement.

He and his brother, Donny, spent more than 200 hours building the bike from scratch for a big debut in the 2006 Independence Day parade.

"I'm hurt and I'm disappointed," Jones said. "I don't understand why people feel that anything not tied down is free for the taking."

The theft also means Jones likely will have to cancel his planned appearance to ride the StreetPlane in this year's Greensboro Jaycees' holiday parade.

"I planned to don my Santa suit and ride it," Jones said.

He said he hasn't trimmed his beard since last May in preparation for playing Santa.

Jones said his insurance company has refused to pay for the loss, and he has filed a police report.

All he can do now is spread the word and hope for the bike's safe return.

Anyone with information about the theft is urged to call Greensboro police at 373-2222 or Crimestoppers at 373-1000.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com