Theft of Bicycles at Food Truck Leads to Shooting, Wounding 2 People

One man is in critical condition after he was shot by a suspect who stole his bicycle at a food truck, the LAPD said today. The incident happened in the early morning hours of April 4th after two men pulled up to a food truck at Pico and Westmoreland in the Harvard Heights area, west of Pico-Union.

They parked their bicycles near it and while buying food, two other men walked up and grabbed the bikes. The bicycle owners tried to stop them, but one of the suspects pulled out a gun, shooting both of them, and fled. The other victim was treated for non life-threatening injuries.

via tola via laist

Both suspects are described as Hispanic between 17 to 19 years old, around 5’5” to 5’6” and around 140 to 150 pounds.

Olympic gang detectives are seeking the public’s help. Any one with information is encouraged to call detectives at (213)-382-9430. During non-business hours or weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.

April 30, 2010, 2:21pm

Two bike messengers saved the day for a Los Angeles man Monday when they chased a bike thief for five blocks downtown and then knocked him to the ground, causing him to flee, police said.

read @ LATimes

February 23, 2010, 11:45am

i’d posted this photo a while back shared by dtla messenger’s. today i just read this article about “vigilate justice” in news. check it out -

L.A. Times Article:

L.A. sees big jump in bike thefts, prompting some vigilante justice

excerpt:

Some bike messengers last month took justice into their own hands when they caught two suspected thieves, teenage boys who attended a local Catholic high school. According to police, the messengers stripped down the teens to their boxer shorts before taking their cellphones, backpacks and clothes.

“They meted out street justice. We don’t condone street justice. They never threatened them. But they made it clear: don’t mess with another person’s property,” Los Angeles Police Lt. Paul Vernon said. “This incident and the arrests are the tip of iceberg when comes to people stealing bicycles.”

read at L.A. Times

February 11, 2010, 12:36pm

As downtown continues to grow as a dense residential neighborhood, so has bicycle usage, which in turn has had a downside: increased bicycle theft. 2009 saw a 63% increase in thefts in the neighborhood and 2010 was looking no different. But police this past weekend may have helped put a stop to that increasing neighborhood crime trend after arresting men involved in a theft ring.

continue reading at laist.com via TOLA

January 25, 2010, 3:17pm

repost from anonymous cyclist:

FYI regarding a Rampart Bike Theft Detail. We conducted an undercover Bike theft detail on 12-15-09 and made (3) arrests.  We focused on areas, within Rampart Division, that have seen a spike in bike thefts.  The following locations resulted in arrests.

1) Heliotrope south of Melrose

2) 2nd St / Occidental St

3) Vendome / Sunset

Iris Santin Senior Lead Officer (2SLO45)
Rampart Division
1401 W 6th St
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-793-0778
31383@lapd.lacity.org

January 06, 2010, 1:10pm

community meeting tonight @ 8pm

December 01, 2009, 11:18am