This orange KTM off-road bike was stolen in Hütschenhausen. The thieves had an accident nearby and fled. (Westpfalz police)

Kaiserslautern police are looking for witnesses who saw someone driving an orange motorcycle in the Huetchenshausen area between 10 p.m. Sunday and 5 a.m. Monday, the department said in a statement Thursday.

The KTM off-road vehicle was stolen between those hours from someone in the village. Whoever took the bike, however, didn’t get very far, police said.

The damaged motorcycle was found on the shoulder of the nearby L356, giving the appearance that the driver slid into a traffic sign and fell before the K1 junction. Police don’t know whether one or two people stole the machine or whether anyone was injured. 

The perpetrators face criminal charges for vehicle theft and hit-and-run. There are likely additional costs to be repaid, including an estimated 4,000 euros for the motorcycle, as well as repair of the damaged traffic sign and reimbursement for the fire brigade’s time for cleaning up fluids leaking from the vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Kaiserslautern Criminal Investigation Department at 0631 369-2620.