Montgomery County police say a bike left as a memorial to Bethesda resident Tim Holden was stolen sometime between May 26 and 30.
The all-white bike, commonly referred to as a “ghost bike,” was placed near the spot on Massachusetts Avenue where Holden was hit from behind by a car and killed last August.
A picture provided by police showed the bike was also adorned with an American flag. Holden was a retired Navy SEAL and in December was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Police said in a press release Friday evening that officers responded to a report that the bike was stolen earlier in the day. Detectives are asking anyone with information about who took the bike to call the 2nd District Investigative Section at 240-773-6710. Tipsters can remain anonymous.
Holden’s death garnered much attention from many in the local bicycling community, generating debate over whether the driver who hit him should’ve faced criminal charges.
Holden was an experienced rider and police said he was hit and killed while wearing a helmet and riding in the marked right shoulder of the 6100 block of Massachusetts Avenue—a frequent route for bicyclists in the area.
Police determined the driver of the vehicle that hit Holden, 22-year-old Ricardo Freeman, was at fault. He was charged with three traffic violations totaling $690 in fines.
Holden’s family has been working with county police and local lawmakers in an effort to create stiffer criminal penalties for negligent driving. Freeman faced no criminal charges for the incident.
