Stolen Bike Found In Homeless Encampment Returned To Owner

MISSION VIEJO, CA — This week in Mission Viejo, the Orange County Sheriff's Department Quality of Life Deputies made an unlikely discovery in the Los Alisos and Vallejo wilderness.

While on patrol, deputies discovered an unoccupied homeless encampment and multiple bicycles that were previously reported stolen. Five bicycles were found, including one that belonged to a 13-year-old boy who had his bicycle stolen from his driveway.

"Since our victim was at school, we returned his BMX bicycle to his parents," Orange County Sheriff's Department Lt. Quyen Vuong said over Twitter. "We are working with the city regarding the encampment and are still trying to determine if the other bicycles were also stolen."

Tips from the authorities: If you own anything that has a serial number, please document it somewhere in case there is ever a theft, which can assist investigators return the items to you.

Mission Viejo Police Services Photo