Cheney Mason/Winonan

Torissa Rehak experienced Winona State University’s dark side when her bike tire was stolen on the first day of fall semester.

Rehak, Lourdes Hall assistant director, said she parked her bike on the side of the building by the elevator, which to her surprise was one of the only bike areas without a camera. The quick release on the tires provided easy access for the thief.

“When I tried to go to security and see how they could help me, they couldn’t because there is not a camera in that area,” Rehak said.

Rehak said Winona State Security told her they would watch the camera tapes for evidence of who may have stolen the tire but were unable to investigate further.

Rehak took matters into her own hands and posted fliers around Lourdes Hall and in mailboxes to raise awareness but with no luck.

The bike was her only way of getting to classes from west campus, but she also said her bike was special to her because it was her mother’s, who had passed away two years ago.

“I don’t really have a lot of things that belong to my mom anymore. Every time I ride it I obviously think of my mom,” Rehak said.

With nobody coming forward with the tire or information about its disappearance, Rehak was left with no choice but to replace it, costing her $200.

Rehak said she now locks her bike with an extra long bike lock that she wraps around both tires and seat to keep people from attempting to steal the tires or bike itself.

This is not the first time Rehak has noticed Winona State’s issue with bike thefts.

“I was walking over to Maria last year on a Friday night, and I saw three or four kids steal a bike. I yelled at them and they just were laughing and running away,” Rehak said.

When she tried to notify security and the police, there was nothing they could do.

“It’s ironic that I helped someone get  their bike back last year, and this year mine got stolen,” Rehak said. “I’m just glad they didn’t take the whole bike. I ride my bike everyday to class.”