Cold Case: Stolen Harley-Davidson Returned After 42 Years

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Outbound Enforcement Team officers at the Los Angeles/Long Beach (LA/LB) seaport, in partnership with California Highway Patrol (CHP) investigators and National Insurance Crime Bureau special agent, recently intercepted a stolen ’54 Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide, destined to Australia. CBP seized it at the port and turned it over to CHP for further investigation and return to its rightful owner.

The bike, which features a 50 Years anniversary badge on its front fender, was green when it was stolen 42 years ago on March 4, 1972. The now-yellow classic was recovered in great condition, apparently having been restored by one of its four previous owners after its theft.  It was taken from the backyard of police officer Edgar Johnson Sr., a resident of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County in North Carolina.  He passed away on October 7, 2010, but his eldest son, Edgar Howard Johnson, Jr., was tracked down and was very excited about its return.

Said Johnson Jr., "My Dad would be tickled to get it back if he was still alive. This is so great, absolutely amazing, so wonderful. I remember my Dad picking me up from school with it one time.  When the kids asked me if I was going to ride on that, I told them I sure am. I miss my Dad so much. We used to talk once every week. He’s with me in my heart. This is like a piece of him is coming back home."