Suspect in California Test Ride Thefts Arrested
As reported by Bicycle Retailer, police arrested a suspect in relation to a series of test ride thefts that took place at multiple Southern California bike shops.
The suspect, Anthony Negreary, was identified after facial recognition software was used on security camera footage from Newbury Park Bicycle Shop, where a $6,600 bike was stolen on a test ride. The bike was later recovered through a Craigslist ad, according to owner Ben Cox.
It's common practice for shops to require test riders to leave a credit card and their ID with a staff member, but in this case, according to Ventura County Sheriff's Department Detective Paul Ferruzza, Negreary used stolen identity information to create credit cards and identification with his own photo.
According to Bicycle Retailer, shop owner Ben Cox has compiled a list of as many as 14 other shops in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange counties who have had bikes stolen in the same or similar way in recent months. Mike France, owner of Fullerton Bicycles and Buena Park Bicycles in Orange County, said Negreary left one of his managers a credit card, driver's license, wallet, set of keys, and a cell phone before riding off with a $4,900 Santa Cruz Hightower LT.
Authorities are encouraging retailers who have experienced similar thefts to contact their local law enforcement agency.
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The suspect, Anthony Negreary, was identified after facial recognition software was used on security camera footage from Newbury Park Bicycle Shop, where a $6,600 bike was stolen on a test ride. The bike was later recovered through a Craigslist ad, according to owner Ben Cox.
It's common practice for shops to require test riders to leave a credit card and their ID with a staff member, but in this case, according to Ventura County Sheriff's Department Detective Paul Ferruzza, Negreary used stolen identity information to create credit cards and identification with his own photo.
According to Bicycle Retailer, shop owner Ben Cox has compiled a list of as many as 14 other shops in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange counties who have had bikes stolen in the same or similar way in recent months. Mike France, owner of Fullerton Bicycles and Buena Park Bicycles in Orange County, said Negreary left one of his managers a credit card, driver's license, wallet, set of keys, and a cell phone before riding off with a $4,900 Santa Cruz Hightower LT.
Authorities are encouraging retailers who have experienced similar thefts to contact their local law enforcement agency.
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They cat call the shit out of you when you ride by too
What they do understand is biting a pillow for bubba.
Pot crimes? probation. Property crimes? DO like they in other countries, cut off fingers.
I agree with your sentiment, but it's not like putting people in prison is free. It cost a huge whack of money to house and feed a prisoner, and putting non-violent moderate criminals into prison turns them into hardcore thugs for life.
Anyway, I have a whole theory/analysis on the judicial system (including why there's more poor people in jail, more cops in inner cities, etc) but I will save it for another time. Maybe I'll post the whole thing if this comment section keeps the discussion rolling haha
@owlie I didn't say just a little community service. I think you should be indebted to the person you steal from for something like 10-100x that of what you steal, which a court can adjudicate. Basically make it a terrible pain in the ass to be a thief, where you basically become an indentured servant until your debt has been repaid. Then, you work, you pay the bill for your probation officer (or whoever keeps tabs on you), you pay your victims back 10x-100x the value of the goods you stole, but you don't go to prison and get f*cked up and become worthless to yourself and society. The one caveat would be that I think the owners of property should be allowed to defend that property, so if you get hit in the ass with bird shot while you're stealing a Hightower, you shouldn't be able to press charges or sue. I just don't think harsh punishments dished out by the government really solve problems, unless you want to live in a police state. I mean, hey, Singapore is a pretty nice police state, so that argument could be made.
Upvote times 1,000. I agree whole heartedly
Prison is meant to give society a break from someone, so that good people (in this case the shop owners) won’t be continuously victimized. This dude just committed multiple felonies, society should get a break from him for a bit. He can even attend treatment and get an education while he’s in prison.... if he cares... which he probably doesn’t.
www.washingtonexaminer.com/sheriff-joes-chain-gangs-to-sport-us-flags-on-jumpsuits-in-patriotism-boost
www.csun.edu/pubrels/press_releases/spring06/burglary.html
registry.thebump.com/brenda-santacruz-anthony-negreary-june-2016/14322230
With the value of bikes these days that’ll be felony larson surely. Nasty.
Flip side of the theft paranoia, I have had a car salesman throw me the keys to a $70k+ Yukon without him even asking my name. I waited for him to walk around and jump in the passenger side but he just smiled, said “have fun” and walked away... We bought the Yukon and since have bought two more vehicles from the same guy, so I guess his trust paid off!
This is very true. He maybe will do a day or 2 in jail, then be released, only to get a slap on the wrist from the judge, and most likey be right back to his old ways.
He got evicted last year, too
unicourt.com/case/ca-la1-zadourian-suzana-vs-negreary-anthony-bryan-1349198
www.facebook.com/brenda.joh.s
Nothing to see here... Move along...
I get the impression (from what i understand it is the case here in Australia) that the police don't take bike theft as seriously as they should... Especially considering the retail value of some of these rigs, not to mention the value of any aftermarket upgrade an owner might do.
Edi: Called and let them know about it, just in case.
Sounds like it's the same scumbag.