Girls Receive Bikes From Deputies After Theft In Mission Viejo

MISSION VIEJO, CA — It's been just over two weeks since two bikes were stolen in Mission Viejo, leaving teenagers stranded. The Orange County Sheriff's Department didn't stop looking, but after the trail went cold, another plan came into play.

The bikes were locked at the time they were stolen, on the evening of Feb. 21, deputies said.

"We recovered one of the stolen bikes," OCSD Mission Viejo Police Services officers said over social media.

The suspect was caught while riding, and cited by officers, they said. They were unable to locate the second bike.

Thanks to a donation from the Mission Viejo Police Foundation, both girls were given brand new bikes to replace the ones that were taken.

"Now that the rain has stopped for a bit, we hope the girls can ride them around our city's beautiful trails," they said.

Residents chimed in their support of the action, in favor of the act of kindness as well as in the question of why a mere citation was all the alleged thief received.

According to Mission Viejo Police Services Lt. Quyen Vuong, "because of proposition 47, deputies can no longer make a custodial arrest unless the stolen item is more than $950."

Overall, the community supported the action of officers.

"We love our police in Mission Viejo," resident Terri Poe wrote. "Thanks for all that you do to protect us, and the sweet things you do (for residents)."