NOT LOCKED UP

This summer, Mammoth Lakes was ravaged by bike thieves. The earliest reported missing bike was in April, and the bulk of the crimes occurred in June and July. The Mammoth Lakes Police Department (MLPD) reported eight to ten theft related cases, resulting in approximately $22,000 in stolen bikes and bike parts. 

Sergeant Jason Heilman speculated in an interview with The Sheet on Wednesday there could be more unreported cases and uncovered bicycles.

The majority of the stolen bikes were e-bikes and mountain bikes. They were stolen from all over town from a mix of residential condos and commercial establishments. In July, eight bikes and various bike parts were recovered in residences associated with the suspects and in a meadow near Minaret Road and Old Mammoth. 

Also in July, the MLPD arrested three suspects: Manuel Cruz Alcantar, 22, Vincente Jesus Guerrero Garcia, 25, and Jorge Luis Garcia, 29. All three are Mammoth Lakes residents.

There is no clear family tie between Guerrero Garcia and Luis Garcia. The three were charged with possession of stolen property, theft, and conspiracy. Their cases are still pending through the court system. All three suspects had prior contact with MLPD, though Heilman did not share what their previous cases entailed.

The Garcias are scheduled for a hearing in October. Alcantar has reportedly cut his GPS ankle monitor off and is on the run. He is not believed to be dangerous. Heilman stated there is not “an active man-hunt” for Alcantar, and officers aren’t going door to door looking for him. However, he encouraged the public to reach out if they have leads on Alcantar’s whereabouts.

“We will definitely follow up and attempt to locate him,” Heilman said.

Looking at the case summary, Heilman described the stolen bicycles as a “bike chop-shop.” The suspects were re-arranging the bikes, painting over them, rendering them new. 

He didn’t know whether the suspects were using the bikes for themselves or if they were resold. He wondered if  some of the bikes had left the area before they could be recovered.

“They were definitely altering the bikes and bike parts to where they did not look like the bikes that were originally stolen,” he explained.

Throughout the interview, Heilman emphasized the meticulous investigation work done by the MLPD, including the 100+ page police reports.

“It was a lot of work and long days putting this all together,” he said.

Heilman urged the public to lock up their bicycles and to keep a record of the serial numbers associated with their bikes.

“Take a picture on your phone,” he said. That way, if your bike is stolen, the MLPD can track it down. 

“If you’re missing any bike parts or bikes and you think we may be in possession of it, contact us.”