Burglars steal £100,000 worth of bikes from injured former Royal Marine

A Royal Marine veteran who served in Afghanistan and survived three Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) has had more than £100,000 worth of bikes stolen in a break-in at his shop.

Steve McCulley is the owner of LIOS Bikes in Lee-on-Solent in Hampshire, which was targeted by burglars who made off with 11 bicycles, a number of which were one-off customs.

Mr McCulley said the burglary was "utterly devastating".

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"I know I'll never get the bikes back as they're probably already stripped down, but I am hoping that any attention that this gets might help to catch the criminals," he said.

The burglary was actually recorded on camera, and local businesses and people across the UK are sharing the video in an attempt to find the culprits.

One of Mr McCulley's former colleagues posted on his own social media site, saying: "Any burglary or theft is horrendous, but this adds another despicable dimension.

"Steve has spent most of his life in the service of others. These evil people must be brought to justice."

Television presenter Jason 'Foxy' Fox, who is also a former UK Special Forces soldier and Royal Marine Commando, posted on his social media channels, stating: "These scumbags bust into LIOS Bikes in Lee-on-the-Solent, robber c£100k worth of bikes. 

"Place is owned by a friend and former Royal Marine, please reach out if you have any info on this."

Mr McCulley served in the Royal Marines and was seriously injured in Afghanistan, with the three IED blasts putting him in a coma and resulting in rehabilitation for three years.

After he realised that his military career was over, he turned his cycling passion into a business.

The Royal Marines Charity and other organisations helped, and in between surgery and medical rehabilitation he rebuilt his life and career by starting LIOS Bikes, which is abbreviated from the names of his children Lily and Oscar.

LIOS Bikes has now been going for 10 years, during which time it has developed a strong reputation for custom carbon, titanium and steel road and off-road bicycles, carbon wheels and 3D motion analysis bike fittings.