Bicycle theft operations leads to 11 arrests

The Santa Rosa Police Department Property Crimes Investigations Team (SRPD PCI) recently conducted three “bait bike” operations in Downtown Santa Rosa in response to the numerous bicycle thefts in our community. This 3-day proactive operation involved officers surveilling a bicycle left unattended as “bait” and contacting anyone deciding to take the bicycle. Based on their respective investigations, PCI detectives determined the 11 people contacted in possession of the bait bike intentionally stole the property. Because the bicycle was valued at approximately $1,100, the theft of the bicycle is a felony. 

The following people were arrest and booked into jail for theft of the bicycle:

Shane Hulbert, a 29-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC and violation of probation per 1203.2(a) PC.

Edwin Sierra-Ortega, a 47-year-old Santa Rosa resident, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC.

Javier Lopez, a 37-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC.

Paul Johnson, a 45-year-old transient from Petaluma, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC and misdemeanor possession of narcotics per 11350(a) HS.

Efrain Perez, a 32-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC and felony possession of narcotics per 11350(a) HS..

Mayra Bogarin, a 36-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC.

Stephen Floyd Jr., a 37-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC.

Emily Christopher, a 31-year-old resident of Ukiah, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC, misdemeanor possession of narcotics per 11350(a) HS, misdemeanor possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and felony possession of a shuriken (bladed “throwing star”) per 22410 PC.

Scott Reed, a 60-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC.

Victor Carrio, a 50-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC, and felony conspiracy to commit theft per 182(a)(1) PC.

Samuel Manuel, a 48-year-old transient from Santa Rosa, was booked into jail for felony grand theft per 487(a) PC, felony conspiracy to commit theft per 182(a)(1) PC, and misdemeanor violation of probation per 1203.2(a) PC.

We would like to remind our community to secure your bicycles with locks, preferably locks that are uncuttable. Also, if you see suspicious activity, please call 9-1-1 for emergency assistance or the SRPD Communications Center at 707-528-5222 for non-emergencies. 

SRPD would like to extend our gratitude to the Bike Peddler, a bicycle company located in Santa Rosa, for their assistance in this operation. Their generous support and cooperation is what made this operation possible. Additional similar operations are being planned.

SRPD case numbers: 23-11515, 23-11518, 23-11792, 23-11796, 23-11798, 23-12223, 23-12227, 23-12230, 23-12238, 23-12242.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Ryan Hepp 
Property Crimes Investigations Team
707-543-4024
rhepp@srcity.org