Bungled OC motorcycle heist caught on video

COSTA MESA, Calif. (KABC) -- The two would-be motorcycle thieves were well-prepared. They brought bolt cutters, rope - even a can of gasoline to make sure their stolen bikes were fueled up and ready to go.

There were just one hitch: They couldn't start up one of the bikes.

The bungled heist was caught on surveillance camera at a Costa Mesa performance bike shop.

Long Mach, owner of Mach 1 Motorcycles, says it's the first time in 19 years he's been robbed.

He said he was amazed as he watched the botched burglary unfold on video.

"I can't believe my eyes," he said. "You know, somebody in my shop. I thought it was rain or wind only (that triggered the alarm), but I see someone inside my shop, I can't believe it."

The surveillance video shows two men dropping in on a rope from the roof of the shop, carrying a gas can early Sunday morning.

They spend about 20 minutes trying on helmets and jackets and scoping out the shop. Eventually each picks out a motorcycle, fuels them up and rolls them outside.

Outside the shop, one thief starts up his bike and takes off.

The other has a little more trouble. The video shows him trying several times trying to kick start the engine, with no success. Finally he flees on foot, leaving the bike behind.

"They don't know how to start the bike," Mach said. "I don't know if these guys really know about motorcycles."

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call Costa Mesa police at (714)754-5637.