Palo Alto Police Nab Alleged Bike Thieves

Palo Alto Police arrested two men for bicycle theft, drug possession and possession of burglary tools. Both are Alviso residents.

They were nabbed last Thursday, October 25, after an officer recognized them from surveillance video of the bicycle theft taken the previous day.

The men were stopped while riding bicycles in the 3000 block of El Camino Real. According to police, the men showed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. An investigation found that one of the men had methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and a switchblade knife.

They also carried burglary tools, according to police.

Police recovered the bicycle stolen the previous day from the home of one of the men.

They believe that the two bikes ridden by the men when they were arrested are also stolen. One of the recovered bikes is a white, 21-speed Citizen folding bicycle, and the other is an orange, Huffy beach cruiser. If you know the owners, call the 24-hour dispatch center at 650-329-2413.

The suspects have been identified as 24-year-old Erik Hernandez-Estrada and 25-year-old Juan Carlos Hernandez-Ortega. They’ve been booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail.

PAPD Officer Ron Harris offers specific tips to residents to prevent burglaries, “While these two arrested suspects have not been connected to any of the recent residential burglaries in Palo Alto, police would like to remind residents to be aware of suspicious behavior by people on bicycles in our neighborhoods. Such behavior could include people leaving bicycles on sidewalks or in driveways and then approaching multiple homes on foot to knock on front doors or to open side yard gates. Potential burglars will often ring the doorbell, posing as a solicitor or supposedly looking for someone who does not live there, to see if anyone is home. Residents are encouraged to speak through their doors to ask who is calling, or otherwise acknowledge in some manner that someone is home.”

The Palo Alto Police Department’s website has crime prevention tips.    The department is also reaching out to the public through Facebook, Twitter, Nixle, and rBlock. Links are on the city’s website.

Also on Palo Alto Patch:

PAPD Seeking Leads in Credit Union Robbery
Palo Alto Gardener Robbed at Knifepoint
Palo Alto Boy Scout Leaders Suspected of Sex Abuse
Police Release Photo of Credit Union Robber

Dream Cycles Sold at A Street Bike Named Desire

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