2 Arrested For Grand Theft After Stealing $8k Bicycle In Marin County: Police

MILL VALLEY, CA – Police arrested two Santa Rosa residents on Friday and recovered a mountain bike stolen in Mill Valley.

On Sunday, the Mill Valley Police Department said they received a report of a stolen neon yellow mountain bike, valued at approximately $8,000, from the 500 block of E. Blithedale Avenue.

An MVPD officer recalled seeing a car in the area earlier in their shift that had no license plates and had a yellow bike secured to its roof. The officer said they checked the Sycamore Area and obtained home security footage of the car from a neighbor's house.

This information, including pictures of the car, was shared with police departments across the North Bay.

On Friday, Santa Rosa Police Department officers said they pulled over a car for a traffic violation in Santa Rosa, and based on the shared information, the officers identified the car as being linked to the Mill Valley theft and contacted the Mill Valley Police.

Police also confirmed that the suspects were in possession of the bicycle.

SRPD officers arrested Robert Roberts, 48, and Jennifer Merchant, 47, both from Santa Rosa, police said.

They were taken to the Marin County Jail on charges of grand theft and conspiracy, police said.

“The Mill Valley Police Department thanks the many Sycamore Area residents who assisted officers during this investigation. Without their assistance, this investigation would have been significantly more challenging,” said Shaun McCracken, Mill Valley Police Department lieutenant. “The department also extends its appreciation to the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Petaluma Police Department for their assistance.”

The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are currently available.