2 Youths Arrested in String of Bike Thefts
Operating a sting operation, Ventura County sheriff’s deputies on Friday arrested two Moorpark juveniles in connection with a string of bicycle thefts.
The youths, ages 11 and 12, were arrested at 2 p.m. after they were caught with stolen bicycles near the Kmart store in the 300 block of Los Angeles Avenue, authorities said.
The 12-year-old attempted to steal a “bait bicycle” left in front of the store by deputies, authorities said.
He approached the bicycle, looked around, jumped on it and pedaled several hundred feet away before being caught and arrested, authorities said.
The 11-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of theft of a bicycle the juvenile rode to the scene, authorities said.
Sheriff’s deputies said they later went to the juveniles’ residence and discovered 15 stripped BMX-style bicycles.
In addition to these suspects, sheriff’s deputies have arrested five other juveniles in the past week for bicycle thefts, many in the Peach Hill and downtown areas of Moorpark.
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