Bicycles hot commodity for thieves in Cheney

CHENEY – Kids in Cheney often ride their bicycles when the weather is nice, but according to Cheney Police Cmdr. Rick Campbell, many of those bicycles are being stolen.

“Every year we have a lot of bicycle thefts,” he said. During June, he said, there were 29 thefts in the city and many of those thefts likely were of bicycles.

“Take a little bit of time and lock the bike,” he cautioned.

The Police Department will even license bicycles for free. If you bring your bicycle to the station, officers will write down the serial number and other pertinent information and keep it on file. Campbell said that stolen bicycles are often found, and if they are licensed it’s easier to track down the owner.

Bicycles are often found in Cheney, and in its reports the department doesn’t necessarily release all of the information needed so that people can identify and claim them.

This week in Cheney was no exception – several bicycles were reported stolen and found during the week of Aug. 1-6. If you had your bicycle stolen this week, check with the Police Department to see if they have found it.

Here’s a roundup of police calls for the week:

Aug. 1

•Eric G. Marchand, 24, was arrested at the 600 block of Second Street on suspicion of driving with a suspended license.

Aug. 2

•Montana L. Sanchey, 22, was arrested on suspicion of trespassing and domestic violence assault.

•A multicolored bicycle was found at the 300 block of Betz Road.

•A drill was reported stolen at the 300 block of F Street.

•Someone drove off without paying for their gasoline at the 100 block of First Street.

•A black bicycle was reported stolen at the 500 block of Washington.

•Terrence L. Stephens, 24, was arrested for suspicion of vehicle prowling at the 1200 block of Second Street.

Aug. 3

•Two bikes, a purple one and a blue one, were reported stolen at the 1500 block of Ridgeview. The bikes were later recovered.

•Three bicycles, a light green one, a blue one and a tortoiseshell-colored one, were reported stolen at the 000 block of west Third Street.

•Three bicycles, two red and one blue, were found at the 2600 block of Wheaton.

•A driver’s license was found and turned into the Police Department.

•A patient with dementia walked away from the care center on the 2200 block of north Sixth Street. The patient was found behind the building.

•A residential burglary was reported at the 800 block of West First Street. Campbell said it appeared someone had tried to gain entry into the home, but was unsuccessful.

Aug. 4

•A rape was reported from someone who lives in Maine. Campbell said that the incident took place in Cheney and the case is under investigation.

•A theft was reported at the 2200 block of First Street. Someone reported an unauthorized use of a debit card.

•There was another report of an unauthorized use of a debit card at the 500 block of First Street.

Aug. 5

•Police responded to a report of harassment involving text messages at the 300 block of First Street.

Aug. 6

•Caleb M. Bagnall, 21, was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license at the 500 block of Second Street.

•Police responded to a report of a vicious animal at the 700 block of B Street. Campbell said a chow was acting aggressively toward passers-by. The dog was on a chain, but could still reach the sidewalk. The case has been referred to animal control.