11 Santa Rosa thieves fooled by ‘bait bike,’ police say

by: Amy Larson

Posted: Oct 13, 2023 / 01:57 PM PDT

Updated: Oct 13, 2023 / 01:57 PM PDT

(KRON) — In response to a recent spike in bicycle thefts around Santa Rosa, police planted a “bait bike” downtown and arrested anyone who decided to steal it.

Eleven alleged thieves took the bait and were arrested by the Santa Rosa Police Department Property Crimes Investigations Team.

“This 3-day proactive operation involved officers surveilling a bicycle left unattended as ‘bait’ and contacting anyone deciding to take the bicycle. SRPD PCI specifically focused on city parking lots and garages downtown,” SRPD wrote.

Because the bicycle was valued at $1,100, suspects who took the “bait bike” were booked into jail on felony grand theft charges.

According to police, the following people were arrest and booked into jail:

Police said officers will continue using the “bait bike” to catch more thieves in the act.

“Additional similar operations are being planned. SRPD would like to extend our gratitude to Bike Peddler, a bicycle company located in Santa Rosa, for their assistance in this operation. Their generous support and cooperation is what made this operation possible,” the police department wrote.

The Santa Rosa Police Department asked residents to secure bicycles with locks, preferably locks that are uncuttable, to help prevent future thefts.

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