$80k motorbike stolen in US found in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—An $80,000 motorcycle stolen in Texas last year from Hollywood screenwriter Skip Woods has been recovered in the southern Philippines, officials said Thursday.

The custom-made chopper was found Tuesday by police in Cagayan de Oro city, said Jose Justo Yap, regional director for the National Bureau of Investigation.

Woods, a collector of custom-made vehicles, wrote the screenplay for “Swordfish,” ”Hitman” and “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

His chopper was among 14 motorcycles, three all-terrain vehicles, two SUVs, a sports car, a shotgun and ammunition for assault rifles recovered by police in raids in Cagayan de Oro and nearby Bukidnon province, Misamis Oriental provincial police Chief Graciano Mijares said.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation sought assistance in the recovery of Woods’ motorcycle, Yap said.

An American private investigator representing Woods said the screenwriter was surprised that his motorcycle, which was stolen from the parking lot of his condominium in Houston, Texas, ended up half way around the world.

Woods was “really congratulatory. He is more than pleased,” said the investigator, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the probe is ongoing.

Police are looking for a Filipino who was selling the motorcycle online, Mijares said.

Yap said the man faces illegal firearms possession and smuggling charges.