Sarasota police search for bicycle bandit

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - A man suspected of stealing bicycles from Sarasota properties appeared in multiple surveillance videos released by police Thursday.

The videos show the suspected thief walking downstairs and through parking garages, sometimes carrying or riding bicycles as he leaves.

According to Sarasota Police, detectives learned of six stolen bikes between April 22 and May 28. The stolen property included specialized bicycles costing hundreds of dollars. In some cases, police said victims found bike locks cut and storage units entered without permission.

Victims reported thefts at Rivo at Ringling at 1771 Ringling Boulevard, Essex House at 707 South Gulfstream Avenue and Embassy House at 770 S. Palm Avenue.

The stolen bicycles include a Trek 4300, a Blue Diamond Back and a Tan Giant.

Detectives encourage residents to register their bicycles online with the Sarasota Police department. The registration can be completed on the police website www.sarasotapd.org and made available to officers should someone steal a resident's bike and police recover it.

Anyone with information about the identity of the suspected bicycle thief should contact Sarasota Police Detective Kim Laster at 941-364-7327 or report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 941-364-TIPS or online at www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.