Cincinnati Police are asking for the public's help identifying a suspect in an electric-bike theft reported at 2329 W. Clifton Ave., the address of longtime campus bar Murphy's Pub. District 1 investigators released a photo of the suspect and say he is believed to have taken a pictured electric bike from the scene.
Photo Released, Tip Line Open
According to a post from the Cincinnati Police Department
, the theft occurred at the Clifton Heights address, and investigators are seeking the identity of the man pictured in the released image. Anyone with information is asked to contact Investigator Murphy at 513-352-4581. The department's social media account notes that the page is not monitored continuously and that callers should dial 911 for emergencies.
Murphy's Pub, a campus staple that opened in 1969, is located at 2329 W. Clifton Ave., according to Cincinnati Magazine. The address is also near campus.
A Jurisdiction Reshaped by Redistricting
The CUF neighborhood was reassigned to Cincinnati Police District 1 in late 2023 after the city eliminated District 5, per WVXU. District 1, headquartered at 310 Ezzard Charles Drive, is handling this investigation.
Cincinnati Police and the University of Cincinnati Police Department have cooperated on some campus-area patrols. It remains unclear from available information whether the victim was a UC student or whether the bike was registered through the university's bicycle or scooter registration program.
What the Theft Could Mean Legally
Under Ohio Revised Code ยง 2913.02, the value of the stolen e-bike will determine the severity of any charges. Theft of property valued under $1,000 is a first-degree misdemeanor carrying up to 180 days in jail, while theft of property valued at $1,000 or more is a fifth-degree felony carrying a six-to-12-month prison term. The dossier does not specify the value of the bike taken from West Clifton Avenue.
A Familiar Pattern Near Campus
This is not the first time CPD District 1 has turned to the public for help identifying a theft suspect in the CUF corridor. In August, the department made a similar appeal after a theft on the 200 block of Calhoun Street, another dense commercial strip near campus, as Hoodline previously reported.
The current theft occurred on West Clifton Avenue. Available information does not state whether it is connected to the Calhoun Street incident.
How to Report a Tip
Residents with information can also submit anonymous tips through Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Crime Stoppers, which offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for tips leading to an arrest or indictment. Those with non-emergency concerns about property crime in the area can additionally reach out through the city's 311Cincy system online or by phone. Anyone who recognizes the suspect in the released photo is urged to contact Investigator Murphy directly to move the case forward.
