-Courtesy photo
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, intercepted a stolen 60-year-old 1954 FL Harley-Davidson Hydra-Glide motorcycle, destined for Australia. CBP seized it on September 9 and turned it over to CHP for further investigation and to return to its rightful owner.
The bike features a trumpet style horn and a 50 years medallion on its front fender, denoting Harley-Davidson’s 50th anniversary.
In great condition, valued at $24,000, the now-yellow bike was green when it was stolen 42 years ago on March 4, 1972. It was taken from the backyard of a police officer’s residence in Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He passed away on October 7, 2010, nearly four years ago to this day.
His oldest son, Edgar Howard Johnson, Jr., is very excited about its return and said, “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 gonna 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.”