Bike Jacking on San Gabriel River

Like we have said before, the San Gabriel River is just an invitation to criminals. We need bike mounted patrols there and more helicopter patrols. We see loitering all the time by very suspicious looking people. Now we have to assume they are not "harmless homeless". I spoke to another rider there who passed the area just before this happened and did see 2 or more Hispanic males loitering in the area where this occurred. This is a Nature Preserve area and there are lots of hiding places just east of the river trial. Big police presence after it happened (5 cars mostly blocking other riders from getting through)

Local crime briefs
Article Launched: 11/12/2007 10:02:17 PM PST
Cyclist robbed near S.G. River

A cyclist riding on a bike path along the San Gabriel River was robbed by two suspects on Monday morning, authorities said.

The victim was riding southbound on the east side of the San Gabriel River near Spring Street at 10:09 a.m. when he was punched in the face by a suspect, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski of the Long Beach Police Department.

The blow knocked the man off his bike, Zapalski said. While he was struggling on the ground, the suspect took his cell phone and rode off on his bike. The robber was followed on foot by a second accomplice, she said.

The victim suffered injuries to his face and was taken by a family member to a nearby hospital. The suspects are described as two Hispanic males in their late teens to early 20s, Zapalski said.

One suspect was described as very tall, wearing a baseball cap and a blue jacket. The other was described as short, with a buzzed haircut and dark jacket.

Anyone with more information is urged to contact LBPD's Robbery Detail at 562-570-7464.

- Kelly Puente

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