GIVISIEZ, Switzerland (BRAIN) — Scott Sports says thieves stole bikes worth more than 1 million Swiss francs ($1.1 million) from a warehouse at the company's headquarters over the weekend.
The company said the bikes stolen were "expensive model year 2014 road and mountain bikes as well as several model year 2015 samples that have not yet been introduced to the market."
In a statement released Thursday, the company said the thieves appeared to be "professional perpetrators."
"The thieves acted in a professional manner and gained access to the warehouse despite an active burglar alarm and without attracting attention. ... Furthermore, the thieves stole a truck from an adjacent company to transport the bikes."
Scott said the thieves stole about 200 bikes with an average retail value of 4,500 Swiss francs ($5,000).
"It is a sad truth that the bicycling industry, be it retailers, manufacturers or professional teams, have been victim of recurrent, severe burglaries causing extensive financial damage during the past few years," said Pascal Ducrot, vice president of Scott Sports. The company said Scott is the latest victim in a series of burglaries that have affected Swiss bike manufacturers and retailers during the past few months.
