'Substantial' Bicycle Thefts In Lake Elsinore Lead To Arrest

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A 35-year-old man suspected of stealing several dozen bicycles from a Lake Elsinore RV park, as well as committing auto thefts in the area, was free on his own recognizance Wednesday.

Alfonso Suarez of Lake Elsinore was arrested Monday on suspicion of felony grand theft following a Riverside County Sheriff's Department investigation. Suarez was issued a criminal citation ordering him to appear before a magistrate at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta on April 19.

Sheriff's Sgt. Jeff Reese said that last week, deputies were alerted to a "substantial" number of bicycles being taken from the RV park on the north end of the lake. Reese said the ensuing investigation resulted in leads pointing to Suarez as the perpetrator. No other details were disclosed.

A search warrant was served at the suspect's residence on Oriole Court, where "over 30 bicycles, two stolen vehicles, narcotics and other items common with theft were recovered," the sergeant said.

Suarez was taken into custody without incident, and the property was seized.

The investigation is ongoing. No information regarding the suspect's background was available.