Owner All Smiles as Tampa Police Return Stolen Bike

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A teenage boy’s attempt to swipe a $400 three-wheel bicycle from outside a Tampa convenience store didn’t end quite like he planned Monday night.

According to the Tampa Police Department, one of their officers was flagged down by the victim, Mr. Tripp, and an unnamed witness shortly after the theft at 2902 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. E. With a description of the suspect in hand, police in the area began to search for the stolen bicycle and the thief who swiped it.

The search didn’t take long.

“Within 30 minutes, Officer Rich Lehr and Master Patrol Officer Scott Feltner located a suspect riding Mr. Tripp’s bike and took him into custody,” the agency reported on its Facebook page.

When both the bike and the teen were positively identified by the owner, charged the 16-year-old, who is not being identified because of his age, with misdemeanor theft, a report stated.

While police made quick work of closing the case, it was the owner’s reaction that was the biggest reward, the officers said.

“The owner’s face when we returned his bike made our day,” the officers were quoted on the department’s Facebook page as saying.

Photo courtesy of the Tampa Police Department