Jason Reser, owner of Reser Bicycle Outfitters in Newport, pursued the man through the streets of Newport and said he endured a punch to the face from the man before police arrested him.
His efforts led to the return of the bike.
"When I was a kid, I had bikes stolen," Reser said. "I was heartbroken. I know a lot of other people that have had bikes stolen. A little bit of justice being served feels really nice."
Newport police arrested Tony Stone, 43, of Cincinnati on Tuesday and charged him with felony receiving stolen property.
A $639 bike was reported stolen from Team Cycling and Fitness in Colerain on Monday. The owner, Geoff Thielmeyer, sent an e-mail to bike shops in the area Tuesday morning asking them to be on the lookout for it.
A few hours later, a bike fitting the description and matching the serial number was spotted outside Reser's shop when the suspect came in to buy a lock. Reser said he used the fastest bike from his shop to follow the man and called Newport police.
When the suspect attempted to board a bus in front of Newport on the Levee, he noticed he was being followed, Reser said. That's when he took off with Reser in pursuit. Reser said he followed the man at a safe distance while the man hurled epithets at him.
Reser kept in touch with police, telling them where the suspect was fleeing.
"I was telling the officer where we were going," Reser said. "He was riding the wrong way up streets and going through parking lots."
When they reached Victoria Square apartments in Newport, the man stopped, walked up to Reser and punched him in the face, Reser said.
The cops reached the scene and arrested the suspect.
Reser said he felt an obligation to follow the thief.
"Someone on a bike can sneak by unnoticed," Reser said. "I knew what the bike looked like. I knew exactly what it was."
Those at Team Cycling and Fitness were grateful for Reser's vigilance and said the local shops support each other.
"Jason went above the call of duty," Thielmeyer said.