Man channels ‘Columbo’ to track down stolen penny farthing

A man who’s penny farthing was snatched outside a hair salon on Monday afternoon has safely recovered his bike.

Robert Torto, 44, of Harlesden Road, Willesden, was getting his hair washed at a salon in Streatham Hill Road when his 56ins Trotts and Son’s penny farthing was stolen from the bike rack outside.

After a day of speaking to residents, businesses and scouring CCTV footage, Mr Torto tracked the thief down to his home at around 10pm on Wednesday night. 

The civil engineer spoke to the thief who he said was “very polite” but informed him he had already sold the bike to an eager buyer.

Mr Torto said: “I let him sit in the front of my cargo bike and wheeled him around to find the bloke he sold it to.”

At about 1am yesterday morning, Mr Torto was finally reunited with his Penny Farthing outside Earlsfield station by the “apologetic” man who had brought it.

He said: “I had to get back for the morning school run but someone had tried to dis-assemble the penny farthing.

“I took it to Fudges Cycles in Uxbridge Road and they fixed it.”

Mr Torto, who said he “channeled Colombo” in his effort to find clues, was finally able to ride his bike home yesterday afternoon.

The Met were approached for comment.

Pictured top: Robert Torto and his bike with its distinctive red rear tyre (Picture: Danny Jackson)