Phone Callback Feature Traces Theft Suspect
A man got his stolen motorcycle back Wednesday after Seal Beach police left a message on the thief’s answering machine: “We know who you are. Return the motorcycle.”
Police said they used the victim’s phone to dial *69--a service that dials the phone number of the last caller--to identify the thief who stole the used bike while posing as a prospective buyer.
“It’s usually not that simple,” conceded Seal Beach Police Sgt. Ron LaVelle. “All we had to do is dial three digits.”
The victim, whose name was not disclosed, was trying to privately sell his 1995 Suzuki GS XR1100 touring motorcycle, and had advertised it in a local magazine. The suspect called the victim, pretending to be interested in buying the $7,000 vehicle, and arranged to see it Tuesday night. But when he took the bike for a test ride, he never returned.
After police used the victim’s phone to leave their stern message, officers spotted the suspect riding the motorcycle on Seal Beach Boulevard near Pacific Coast Highway, apparently en route to return the bike. Angel Sanchez, 24, of West Covina, was taken into custody on suspicion of grand theft. Police, who suggest that people exercise caution when selling personal property, said Sanchez can expect little leniency for intending to return the vehicle.
“You can’t really fix it by bringing it back,” LaVelle said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
