As part of its investigations targeting burglaries, thefts, narcotics and gangs, a newly formed police unit unearthed a suspected "bicycle chop shop" in Livermore.
After recently identifying a suspected bicycle-theft ring, the Livermore Police Department’s Special Operations Unit conducted a search warrant on an undisclosed location believed to be a chop shop for swiped bikes, said Officer David Blake.
Operating akin to a vehicle chop shop, bikes are broken down into parts, serial numbers are altered or removed, then "new" bikes are reassembled, repainted and sold, Blake said.
No additional details are being released as an investigation is underway, he said.
Last month, police alerted citizens to a citywide uptick in bicycle thefts.
In three of last week's five reported home burglaries, Blake said intruders targeted residential garages, making off in two of those cases with mountain bikes.
Blake reminds residents to store bikes indoors, when possible, or to secure them with locking systems that utilize the frames or remove the front wheels.
To deter burglars or thieves, in general, Blake offered the following tips:
- Always secure doors, windows and, in particular, garages.
- Use residential lighting and motion detectors.
- Remove shrubbery that obscures homes' doors and windows.
- Install residential alarm systems.
- Join or launch Neighborhood Watch Programs.
To protect vehicles, Blake added, folks should always lock them, park in well-lit areas, use car alarms if possible, and leave nothing — especially laptops, purses or navigational units — in plain view.
In other police news:
Saturday, Sept. 15
- Residential burglary reported 11:30 a.m. on 2600 Kennedy Street.
- Car break-ins logged 2:44 a.m. and 4:43 a.m. on the 1600 block of Spruce Street.
- Vandalism cited 2:30 p.m. on 3300 Pestana Way.
- A Livermore male, 23, was arrested 10:33 p.m. on 1000 Coronado Way for suspected use/influence of controlled substances.
- Motorist with suspended license cited 1 p.m. on First and South L streets.
- Drug-paraphernalia possession reported 2:44 a.m. on 1800 Spruce Street.
- Warrant served 9:47 a.m. on 1100 South Livermore Avenue.
- Theft reported on 1100 Rincon Avenue at 8:43 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 14
- Motorist with marijuana cited 8:51 p.m. on Pine Street and Rincon Avenue.
- A Livermore man, 48, was arrested 10:29 p.m. along 1100 Orchid Street for alleged public intoxication and contempt of court.
- Warrant arrest made 2:05 p.m. on 4300 Las Positas Road.
- Assault with deadly weapon, not a firearm, reported 6:21 p.m. along 4500 First Street.
- Missing Pleasanton girl and Livermore man found dead in Newark motel.
Thursday, Sept. 13
- Residential burglary reported 8:44 p.m. along 800 Leland Way.
- DUI arrest made 9:13 p.m. on Seventh and South J streets.
- Use/influence of controlled substances reported 2:18 a.m. along 900 Catalina Drive, and 11:45 p.m. on 5700 Southfront Road.
- Car break-in logged 5:30 p.m. on 100 North Mines Road.
- Shoplifting theft cited 6:30 p.m. on 2700 Las Positas Road.
- Controlled-substance possession reported 3:22 p.m. on 4100 Freeda Court.
- Narcotics-gang bust 7:15 a.m. on Coronado Way.
Wednesday, Sept. 12
- Vehicle reported stolen 4:12 a.m. on the 5600 block of La Ribera Street.
- Motorist with suspended license cited 9:15 p.m. on First and South N streets.
- Narcotics possession reported 11:20 a.m. on 7700 Southfront Road.
- Shoplifting theft logged 3:57 p.m. on 4400 Las Positas Road.
Tuesday, Sept. 11
- Residential burglary reported 12:55 p.m. on the 3600 block of Thornhill Drive.
- Vandalism cases filed: 3:40 p.m. on 2400 Detert Street; 6 p.m. on 3500 Pacific Avenue; 6:30 p.m. on 5200 Diane Lane.
- Telephone harrassment cited 2 p.m. along 1400 Winding Stream Drive.
- Identity theft logged 1:30 p.m. on 6400 Rubicon Way.
- Domestic assaults reported 1:14 a.m. on 1100 Geneva Street, and 9:53 p.m. on 500 South H Street.
- Car break-in logged 4 p.m. along 800 North Vasco Road.
- Thefts filed 2:38 p.m. on 1400 First Street, and 10 p.m. on 800 Mohawk Drive.
- Controlled-substance possession reported 7:22 a.m. along 700 Debra Street.
- Multi-car pile-up 6 p.m. on I-580.
Monday, Sept. 10
- Residential burglary reported 12:30 a.m. along 400 Leona Drive; commercial burglary 5 p.m. on 400 Preston Court.
- Forgery logged 11:30 a.m. on 600 Daisyfield Drive.
- Injury-accident reported 6:07 a.m. on Grant Line and Altamont Pass roads.
- Robbery report investigated 11:35 a.m. on 5700 East Avenue.
- Domestic assault reported 6:42 p.m. on the 5600 block of Elder Circle; assault with deadly weapon, not firearm reported 10:21 p.m. along 1400 Buena Vista Avenue.
- Battery logged 7:15 p.m. on 4200 Oleander Street.
- Car break-in cited 5 p.m. on 800 Hazel Street.
- Possession of controlled substances reported on 7700 Southfront Road at 10 p.m.
- Police announce push for commercial-vehicle safety.
Sunday, Sept. 9
- DUIs reported: 12:42 a.m. on 2500 East Avenue; 1:14 a.m. on South Vasco Road at East; 11:39 p.m. on North Mines and Patterson Pass roads.
- Residential burglary reported 3 p.m. along 1000 Murdell Lane.
- Vandalism cited 9:36 p.m. on 2100 First Street.
- Controlled-substance possession reported 5:40 p.m. on 1000 Airway Boulevard.
