A
bike is often someone’s main mode of transportation and not easily replaced. As
a way to deter bike theft in Eugene, EPD Property Crimes Unit detectives
have placed a changing supply of bait bikes at various locations to combat the
problem and arrest those who are responsible.
Property
Crimes Unit ran a bait bike operation last night, June 6, in the downtown
area and netted 3 takers…
Kameron Coe Gray, age 26, of Eugene grabbed one of the bikes from where it was parked. He tried to make a quick getaway to his residence nearby, but was detained just as he was opening his door. He was charged with Theft in the First Degree.
Lloyd
Robert Worley, age 57, also grabbed the bike from its location and quickly
left. Detectives caught up to him about six blocks away. Worley
initially tried to run but was quickly taken into custody on Theft in the First
Degree and a warrant.
Just as Worley was being arrested one of the other bikes was taken from another area. The team was able to track the bike and caught up to James Robert Pacheco, age 30. He was taken into custody on a warrant and for Theft in the First Degree.
EPD
Crime Prevention offers these prevention tips:
Proper
locking, bike registration, and theft reporting are key elements in combatting
bike theft.
A great first step to take is documentation. It is
critical to document your serial number, take a photo and register your
bicycle.
Presently, there are more than 7,000 bicycles
registered with the Eugene Police Department and we would like to see all
bicycles in Eugene registered! Though registration does not protect your
bicycle from being stolen, it drastically increases your chances of recovery.
Registration is fast and free for City of Eugene residents living in the
incorporated area of Eugene. You can register your bicycle 24/7 via our website
at: http://www.eugene-or.gov/bikeregistration. If you do not
live in the incorporated area of Eugene, or live in another city, there are
other alternatives mentioned in the link on our website.
Equally important as registration is the use of a
quality U-lock and cable lock. No lock is undefeatable, but U-locks used along
with cable locks, will provide much better protection than a cable lock alone.
Many of the bicycle thefts reported to EPD involve no lock being used, or only
a cable lock. Cable locks can be easily cut and do not provide adequate
protection. The website link above also provides examples of how to properly
lock your bicycle.
VIDEO:
Crime Prevention Program Manager Jeff Blonde – Bike Theft Prevention
If your bike is stolen in Eugene, report it
immediately to EPD. Be sure to provide specific details about your bike,
including critical information such as the serial number. You can file a report
by calling our non-emergency number at 541-682-5111 or online at: http://ceapps.eugene-or.gov/epdcoplogic/.