On Craigslist, What Goes Around, Comes Around

"I called him on a Wednesday, and that Friday he had the bike back," she said. "I'm so relieved that someone was there to help."

Sunderland re-interviewed the man who had been hiding in the Explorer but got no useful information. But he found the man's MySpace page on the Internet and a list of his friends on the social network. Wesley Myers identified the man who he said stole his motorcycle as one of the friends and police identified "Matt" as Frank Harper, 25, from Parkville. Sunderland arrested him and charged him with auto theft.

The suspect told Sunderland, according to court documents, that he had called Myers using a throw-away cell phone that couldn't be traced. He forgot about his footprints on the Internet and that conversing online can sometimes mean conversing with everyone, even the cops.

"We're using the exact same tools they use to steal to get them," Sunderland said.

Barbara Myers said the motorcycle came back with a flat tire and worn tread, but otherwise appeared in good shape. Her son rushed out and got theft insurance, and now has second thoughts about selling the cycle.

"After all this, he might hold onto it for a while," his mother said.