Los Angeles: Los Angeles police detectives arrested two men over the weekend, whichbroke up a downtown Los Angeles bicycle-theft ring and netted severalstolen bicycles and parts, drug paraphernalia, and counterfeit money.
This is a significant break for us, said Lt. Paul Vernon, who headsup the Central Detective Division. There were 123 bicycles stolendowntown in 2009. Thats 45 more than the year before, and we knowthere is more than one ring of thieves who are preying on bicyclists.
Police point to the increasing popularity of bicycling for sport andtransportation among downtown residents and have attributed theincrease in thefts to the proliferation of bicycles, many costing inthe thousands of dollars.
Friday, January 22, 2010, undercover detectives met a man in SantaMonica to buy a bicycle that he had posted on Craigslist. The bikesreal owner had reported the bike stolen on the same day, taken from the500 block of Olympic Boulevard. Konstantin Rostovtsev, 51, listedthe $600 Sirrus bicycle for $300, and included the after-marketon-board computer in the asking price. After agreeing on the sale,detectives arrested the Ukranian native for receiving stolen property.
Detectives used information from Rostovtsevs arrest to identify EdwardRene Arciga, 43, as another source of stolen bicycles. We calledArciga and asked him if he had bikes for sale, Vernon said. Saturday,undercover detectives met Arciga at the Olive Motel on SunsetBoulevard. Arciga pulled a bicycle out of his Mercedes Benzs trunkand showed it to the detectives. When the detectives arrested Arciga,an accomplice opened the motel rooms door. The detectives called theman out and could immediately see bolt cutters and more bikes, Vernonadded.
This latter arrest was a gold mine, said Lt. Vernon. We found thetwo men were also bleaching money to counterfeit $100 bills. Detectives found several counterfeit bills, a computer and a printerfor making money, and evidence of heroin use. Secret Service agentsseized a laptop computer, the counterfeit bills and manufacturingmaterials. Detectives booked Arciga for receiving stolen property, buthe may face additional federal charges for counterfeiting.
We think Arciga and Rostovtsev are just one of several rings workingdowntown, Lt. Vernon warned. All bicyclists need to protectthemselves with good locks, record their bikes serial number, and keepa receipt of the bikes purchase price to prove its value; andremember, dont leave a bike in a public place, even locked up, forlonger than is necessary.
For more information, or interviews about this case, please contact Lt. Paul Vernon, Central Area Detectives at 213-972-1203.
Tipsters can call Crimestoppers at 800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477). Tipsters may contact Crimestoppers by texting the number 274637(C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messagesshould begin with the letters LAPD. Tipsters may also go toLAPDOnline.org, click on webtips and follow the prompts.