A New Toronto man is making an appeal for thieves to return his prized e-bike after it was stolen from outside his home.

Bernard Graham said the $4,000 Daymak Beast electric-bike was stolen on October 11 around midnight from outside his 148 Islington Ave. apartment unit, which is just north of Lake Shore Blvd. W.

“It was the worst day of my life,” Graham says. “It is my transport to get to work and shopping in the community.”

The long-time area resident says he always parked the bike in a secure spot out of public view.

He is in the process of filing a complaint with Toronto Police and trying to obtain video from security cameras in the area.

“I feel empty inside that my transport is gone,” Graham says. “I feel like part of me is gone and I feel so empty.”

He says he didn’t realize the e-bike was gone until notified by a neighbour early the next day.

The production assistant for Lush Cosmetics, on Jutland Rd., purchased the e-bike last March from an area shop so he could travel to work safely during COVID-19.

“I am very disappointed by the loss of my bike,” he says. “The bike was so large that I didn’t expect it to stolen from where it was parked.”

He believes the thief, of thieves, had their eyes on the bike and cut a thick lock securing the bike with a bolt cutter when he was inside.

He loved the ride and had added parts to enhance the e-bike; such as a windshield, custom saddle, saddle bags, rear shocks and changed the tires.

“This was my ride to avoid the virus,” he says. “I feel like by routine has been destroyed and that nothing is safe anymore.”

Police say electric bikes, just like other bikes are stolen in one way or the other, sometimes, the e-bike has a whole may be stolen. Other times, some critical components may be removed from the e-bike.

Officers say e-bikes have become more affordable over the years and it makes them an investment worth protecting.

“To keep your e-bike safe, you may need to be proactive by employing proper security measures,” according to police.

If you see Graham’s e-bike please call police at 416-808-2200 or leave a message on Facebook at  https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1637264909781265&id=100004933147170