PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Bike thefts are nothing new, but one woman who captured a suspect on her surveillance camera hopes the footage can help police catch him.

Elissa Middlemas left her mountain bike outside, locked to her front porch when a thief creeped his way onto her NE Portland property Sunday morning and stole it.

“Leaving the bike outside was something that probably wasn’t a good idea,” Middlemas admitted. “It took him literally about 3 seconds just to snatch the bike.”

The bike was locked to a piece of railing that was no match for the suspect’s pulling and tugging.

Middlemas said the bike had sentimental value: It was a gift that she only had for about 3 months, but it became her only way to get around town.

She stripped off all the decals, but did have it registered.

“My hope with getting the videos out there is that somebody will recognize this man,” Middlemas said. “Of course, now I’m looking everywhere for him.”

Bike thefts in the city went up 12% in the early part of the year, according to Portland Police Bureau. Police encourage everyone to register their bikes with the serial number and use U-locks instead of chain locks.

Call Portland police if you have any information about the suspect.