The 17-Bike Heist – How Kailub Russell Helped Crack a North Carolina Theft Ring!

In November, Kailub Russell became the victim of a massive theft when 17 dirt  bikes belonging to him and his children were stolen from his Yadkin County, North Carolina home.

After reporting the crime on November 7, Russell quickly began receiving tips from others who had experienced similar thefts — many pointing toward Raleigh. Within 36 hours, he had gathered names, addresses, and even photos of suspects riding one of his son’s stripped bikes. Frustrated by what he felt was slow progress from local investigators, Russell took matters into his own hands.

Working with a private investigator, he traveled to Raleigh and conducted four days of surveillance. They captured video evidence of individuals handling at least two of his stolen motorcycles inside a residence. Although initial calls for immediate action were declined due to a larger ongoing investigation, the Raleigh Police Department’s Auto Theft Unit later executed search warrants at multiple locations Russell had identified.

Authorities recovered two of his bikes during the raids. Another was later found abandoned in woods off Poole Road. The breakthrough continued into January when Russell’s wife spotted their son’s stolen Cobra CX50 Jr listed on Facebook Marketplace under “Big Al’s Trap Catering” in Raleigh. Coordinating with the Auto Theft Unit, police arranged a meet-up and arrested the seller on the spot.

The case ultimately expanded beyond Russell’s loss, leading to broader action against individuals tied to multiple dirt  bike thefts across North Carolina.

Russell’s experience highlights how persistence, independent effort, and collaboration with responsive law enforcement ultimately led to arrests and recoveries — after what began as a deeply frustrating investigation.

Kailub Russell – “I took this video nine days after my home was robbed — November 16th. Let me back up. On November 7th, my wife woke me up in a panic. Seventeen of my dirt bikes — mine and my children’s — were gone. Vanished from our home. We immediately called 911, and the Yadkin County Sheriff’s Office responded promptly. A lengthy and detailed investigation was supposedly set in motion. Within hours of posting about the theft, I was flooded with messages from people who had experienced similar dirt bike thefts. Every road led to Raleigh. Within 36 hours, I had names, addresses, and photos of individuals on my son’s dirt bike — stripped of its graphics. I met with a detective and the Sheriff from Yadkin County, along with an agent from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Instead of feeling like I was helping move the case forward, I felt like I was the one being interrogated. I left that room frustrated and in disbelief. So frustrated, in fact, that I told the lead detective to be quiet — that I would go get the evidence myself. And that’s exactly what I did. With the help of several resources — and yes, fueled by my obsessive personality — I headed to Raleigh. On the way, I spoke with the SBI agent assigned to the case and made them aware of my plan: to gather evidence and prove where my property was. I was told that attempting to go to the address would be “problematic” and that I’d be in more trouble than the people who stole my bikes. That didn’t sit right with me. Eventually, I connected with the Raleigh Police Department Auto Theft Unit — and they became the turning point. The only group that actually made a dent in this case. I brought them everything I had. I hired a private investigator to work alongside me in Raleigh — and I’m glad I did. We spent four straight days conducting surveillance. During that time, we captured the video you’re watching now. We were sitting on a home that we knew had at least two of my motorcycles inside. Once I had undeniable evidence — video proof of them handling my property — I assumed law enforcement would move in and help recover it. I called immediately. Sent the footage. Then I waited. Forty-five minutes later, I got a call back: “We’re not sending anyone. It’s part of a bigger investigation. We have the opportunity to hit multiple locations at once and maybe recover 50  bikes instead of just two.” I went home defeated. So did my PI. I had solved my own case and handed them proof. I was so frustrated I wanted to drive my rental car straight through the garage door just to force a response. Five days later, the Auto Theft Unit executed search warrants at several of the addresses I had already identified. They recovered two of my bikes. Weeks later, another one turned up — dumped in the woods off Poole Road in Raleigh. A woman walking her dogs found it torn apart and hidden in the trees. Her son reached out to me on Instagram. I contacted the Auto Theft Unit, and they retrieved it for impound. About a week later, a detective from Yadkin County called me as if he had just broken major news — that they had “found” one of my bikes. Fast forward to January. My wife and I were searching for a new Cobra CX50 Jr for our daughter. She happened to check Facebook Marketplace — and there it was. My son Colyn’s  bike listed for sale under “Big Al’s Trap Catering.” Location? Raleigh. With help from several people, I coordinated a meet while I was in Florida. The Raleigh Auto Theft Unit set it up. When the seller showed up, they arrested him on the spot. A week later, they had enough evidence to go after the individuals responsible — not just for my theft, but for a long list of others across North Carolina. Here’s the moral of the story: Don’t let one loud, angry neighbor convince you that everything was handled properly from day one. The truth is, the breakthrough came from persistence, outside help, and a department willing to act. Some did their job. Some didn’t. But I wasn’t going to sit back and let 17 bikes — and my kids’ memories — disappear without a fight"