Bicycle thefts on the rise in Burbank, police say
Bike thefts are on the rise in Burbank, police say, with 144 reported stolen so far this year.
That number is more than the 127 bikes stolen from January to July 2011, — an increase of about 13%, Sgt. Darin Ryburn said.
“It’s a pretty big issue right now,” he said, adding it was a crime trend police were trying combat.
The majority of stolen bikes are left unattended or unlocked, Ryburn said.
Nine people have been arrested on suspicion of stealing bikes so far this year, including a 34-year-old transient, Leonel Gomez, who was arrested Saturday morning.
Ryburn attributed the rise in thefts to several reasons.
“Bikes are easy to dispose of,” he said. “They can be sold on the streets or online, they aren’t traceable. That’s why we encourage people to put some identifier on it.”
The majority of stolen bikes, he added, are being resold.
“In this economy, it’s another opportunity to make money,” he said.
Putting identifying markers or numbers on bikes can help authorities return stolen bikes if they are recovered, Ryburn added.
-- Maria Hsin, Times Community News