La Crosse man charged for stealing 2 bikes worth $14,000 during Hixon’s Epic race

Said another guy threw stolen bike into river 

Arrested for stealing two bicycles worth $14,000 during a race in La Crosse, Joseph Franzoi could get 12 years in prison.

The 25-year-old La Crosse man was arrested earlier this month for allegedly taking the two bikes off the roof of a parked car during the Hixon Forest Epic bike race.

Franzoi told police that he was not in “the game” of stealing bicycles anymore but he heard that a man named Nico actually stole one of the bikes and threw it into the river to avoid getting caught.

Franzoi said he was searching for the bike himself because, well, they’re worth $10,000.

La Crosse County is now charging Franzoi with a repeat charge of theft.

Police did recover the other stolen bike.