Bicyclist Held in South Bay Burglaries : Crime: Suspect used an old bike in his getaways, police allege. He is charged in thefts from more than 60 homes.

It’s not the most glamorous of getaways, but Torrance police say a dilapidated, single-speed bicycle was the vehicle of choice for a South Bay man who allegedly burglarized more than 60 homes and pedaled away with nearly $55,000 in merchandise.

Police arrested Tom Joseph Freeman, 29, this week after he allegedly forced his way into a Torrance house under renovation and left with a portable air compressor, a router, a drill and cash.

“We arrested a serial burglar a couple of months ago who rode buses,” Sgt. Dan Williams said. “They take all forms.”

Freeman is suspected of burglarizing about 30 homes in Torrance and another 30 homes in Redondo Beach, stealing goods ranging from bicycles to boombox radios. He apparently lived with friends in both cities.

Police said Freeman rode around the towns on his black beach bicycle, eluding detectives for several months before he was identified as a suspect last week. Without providing details, officers said their investigation was helped by witnesses.

“He just looked like your normal guy riding down the street,” Williams said.

Freeman has admitted burglarizing several homes in the South Bay, police said.

They suspect he used the bicycle to burglarize houses near the hilly, secluded bridle path portion of Torrance and Palos Verdes, where a bicycle would facilitate getaways along the narrow, dirt paths that run between homes, police said.

On Tuesday, police trailed Freeman as he pedaled his cruiser to a Torrance house, where he put the bicycle into a red Toyota pickup truck and drove with another man through Torrance neighborhoods.

“We watched them cruise up and down three or four blocks, casing it out,” Williams said.

While the driver, Steven Kenneth Cottey, 23, of Redondo Beach, waited in the truck near the 2700 block of Clarellen Street, Freeman forced open a window and later emerged with the tools and cash, police said.

Police pulled over the truck and arrested the two men. A compact disc player stolen from a Redondo Beach home was found in the pickup, Williams said.

Police believe Freeman occasionally used cars to commit burglaries.

Cottey was charged with possession of stolen goods. Freeman was charged with residential burglary. They were being held on $40,000 bail each.

As for the beach bicycle, there is no indication that it was stolen, police said.