A recent investigation by the News4 I-Team has revealed that during the last two years, more than 500 bikes have been reported to be stolen from outside the Metrorail stations in the Washington, D. C. area.

The bikes have been stolen by thieves mainly during the late-morning hours; with the main targets being the bikes that have chain locks.

For its investigation into the bike thefts, the News4 I-Team used undercover camera surveillance. The camera recordings showed that the bike thieves work as a team. They first target the bikes to be stolen from among those parked outside the Metrorail stations; and then unlock and ride away the targeted bikes.

The recordings also showed that the bike thefts largely took place in broad daylight. In at least one recording, a young man can be seen to serve as a "lookout," who signals a second man to use bolt cutters, break the bike lock and attempt the theft.

According to the findings of a review carried out by the I-Team of the police reports of bike thefts in 2013 and 2014, thieves appear to be increasingly targeting bikes that are parked at stations along the Washington D. C.-area Metrorail system's Red Line, including the stations at the Medical Center and Shady Grove.

About the bike thefts, Metro Transit Police Chief Ron Pavlik said: "Just like we are moving our tactics and strategies, so does the criminal."