Somerville Craigslist Seller 'Steve' Nabbed For Stolen Bike

SOMERVILLE, MA – A Somerville man who called himself "Steve" in a Craigslist ad was arrested over the weekend after attempting to sell a bicycle reported stolen in Newton. Juan Cruz, 20, who went by "Steve" in the ad, was charged with receiving stolen property over $250.

A Newton woman told police the bicycle was stolen from her home. Detectives confirmed the report with the Newton Police Department, filed a week earlier. The woman showed police pictures from the Craigslist ad and pointed to details that coincided with her bike, such as the rear tire always losing air, a bell on her handle bars and custom Fox suspension forks on the front. She also mentioned details that were missing from the pictures, such as scratches on the front handle bars and blue foot pegs.

It was arranged for the woman to meet with "Steve" to purchase the bike for $800. The woman and her husband parked in front of the meet point on Glen Street and waited. Approximately five minutes later, Cruz rode the suspected stolen bike over to meet them. When he arrived, police approached Cruz and detained him.

The woman and her husband identified the bike as the one stolen from them on May 20. According to the police report, Cruz waived his Miranda rights and agreed to be questioned by police. He told officers he bought the bicycle for $100 two weeks prior in Brighton from someone he did not know, according to the report.

When told the bicycle was stolen just seven days before, he replied, "Oh."

Cruz told police he used the name "Steve" on Craigslist because he did not want people to know his real name, though the number listed on the ad was his personal cell phone number. Police said Cruz had six previous court appearances for receiving stolen property.

Police then spoke with the woman, who pointed out the features she had described to police. The bell had been removed but there were scratch marks where it had been attached. The bicycle was returned to the woman, who said she would be available for any potential court appearances.

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Editor's Note: This post was derived from information supplied by the Somerville Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction. Click this link to find out how to get a name removed from a Massachusetts Patch police report.