A globe-trotting motorcyclist’s dream ride has come to a devastating halt after his motorbike — and almost everything he owned — was stolen in broad daylight in Nottingham.
A Staggering Loss Midway Through the Adventure of a Lifetime
Yogesh Alekari, 33, had already covered 17 countries on his KTM 390 Adventure motorbike when his round-the-world journey came to an abrupt pause.
He had parked up at Nottingham’s popular Wollaton Park on Thursday at around 11am, when, within the hour, a gang of thieves made off with his beloved bike and all his belongings.
“I locked the bike up, and it was a busy area with children playing, so I thought it seemed like a safe place,” said Mr Alekari.
The theft wasn’t just about a motorcycle. It was a blow to months of effort, planning, and personal investment. Alekari revealed that his bike held gear and equipment worth an estimated £15,000, including his MacBook, a spare phone, cameras, cash, and even his passport.
From Mumbai to Nottingham, one man’s incredible ride through 17 countries is now clouded by a single shocking moment in a UK park.
Documented Across the World – But Not Spared at Home
The Indian traveller began his journey in Mumbai on 1 May and had already crossed through countries including Iran, Uzbekistan, China, Kazakhstan, Germany, France, and Belgium.
His route was set to continue from the UK to Spain, Morocco, and further into Africa, with the final stretch reaching Cape Town and Kenya, before returning home.
But what began as a brief breakfast stop in Nottingham turned into a nightmare.
“I crossed the road and went to have breakfast, but within an hour, I came back and everything was just gone,” he said.
Police Response Criticised
Despite promptly calling Nottinghamshire Police, Mr Alekari was met with disappointment.
“I called the police, and it seemed so strange that they just sent me a crime number. I was told they would call me back, and I waited in the park, but they never did.”
CCTV footage shared by another park visitor shows the moment three individuals, two on mopeds, coordinated the theft and rode off with the motorbike. The footage has since been handed to authorities.
‘I Felt Safer in Iran and Turkey’
Mr Alekari’s frustration was amplified by the irony of the situation. Having travelled through regions often flagged as ‘risky,’ he said he had never faced an issue until he reached the UK.
“I have travelled from India to here, and I went through places like Iran and Turkey, which people said weren’t safe, but I felt safe there. People warned me about the UK, but I thought I was away from London and it would be OK in Nottingham. I never experienced any incident like this anywhere else.”
Police Investigation Ongoing
PC Andy Smith of Nottinghamshire Police commented: “When you consider the victim’s story and how far he travelled, I can only imagine how distressing it was for him to find his motorbike and belongings had been stolen.
Our policing teams have been following multiple lines of inquiry since this happened, and hope sharing an image of the bike in this appeal will help us locate it quicker.”
Alekari’s Followers Rally in Support
The traveller, who has amassed over 180,000 followers on Instagram and 16,000 on Facebook, has received messages of sympathy and support since the incident.
Despite being “totally shocked” and heartbroken, he hasn’t given up on his dream.
“My dream is to ride around the world on a motorcycle. I spent a lot of money to get here, and I don’t want to stop now.”
Mr Alekari is now attempting to recover his stolen passport and regroup. His followers and local motorbike communities are rallying to help him continue the ride.
Have You Seen the Bike?
Police urge anyone who may have seen the stolen KTM 390 Adventure or who has dashcam footage from the area near Wollaton Park, Nottingham, on Thursday morning to come forward.
You can report information anonymously via Crimestoppers or directly contact Nottinghamshire Police.
