4 juveniles arrested for stealing bikes in Ripon | Crime

RIPON, CA - Four juveniles were busted Monday for a string of bicycle thefts during March and April.

Ripon police responded to the 1700 block of Judy Drive after getting a report of thieves stealing a bicycle from a residential garage that was left open, Sgt. Steve Merchant said.

Officers canvassed the area to develop a suspect description. During the investigation, officers were able to identify four suspects.

Merchant said the suspects would gather at one theirs' homes and then go out "Bike Jacking" during the night. The suspects would then strip some of the bikes and repaint them in order to sell them.

Merchant said the police recovered eight stolen bicycles worth more than $1,350.

The suspects, ages 10, 13, 13 and 14, were taken into custody, charged with theft and receiving stolen property, issued citations then turned over to their parents, Merchant said.