An arrest has been made in the theft of specialized bikes used during the annual Tour de Shore event.
Riders who participated in the Tour De Shore charity ride on July 28 stored their bicycles at the Irish Pub located on 2011 Walnut Street. Most of those bicycles belonged to police officers and all of them were used by the riders who journeyed 65 miles from Philadelphia to the shore. On July 30, at 4:35 a.m., investigators say a thief stole 15 bicycles worth a total value of $20,000. According to police, only the most expensive bikes were stolen while the others were untouched.
Investigators say the thief fled the scene in an older model, light-colored Ford pickup truck, possibly a Ranger. The vehicle was spotted traveling west on the 2000 block of Moravian Street the morning of the theft.
Credit: Philadelphia Police
Mark O’Connor, the co-owner of the Irish Pub, spotted a ladder inside the establishment when he first discovered the theft. He believes the suspect brought the ladder and mistakenly left it behind. Ultimately, O’Connor says, he doesn’t want the crime to overshadow the annual fundraiser, which honors officers who were killed in the line of duty and the children they left behind.
“It’s a bummer,” O’Connor said. “But ultimately we are not gonna let it ruin what was a great day. We had a great day and raised over $600,000.”
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On Wednesday, Philadelphia Police Chief Joe Sullivan announced that a man was arrested and taken into custody for the thefts. Investigators say some of the bikes were found inside the 23-year-old man's home. Police will not reveal the man's name however until he is officially charged.
Stay with NBC10.com for updates on this developing story.
