LARKSPUR — Marin Central Police Authority responded to a bicycle store burglary and arrested two men with a van full of bikes. The burglary occurred downtown, and both suspects were nabbed at a nearby shopping center.
The burglary was reported in progress March 15 at 1:45 a.m. The proprietor of Village Peddler shared remote access to security video with police, which precipitated rapid arrests.
The owner saw two men stealing bicycles from the store on live video. The purloined bikes were loaded into a white van, which drove away south on Magnolia Avenue.
Detailed descriptions of the van and suspects helped police catch the culprits. Officers spotted the van a few minutes later driving east along Sir Francis Drake Boulevard.
Officers stopped the van at Bon Air Shopping Center, about two miles away in Greenbrae. The occupants were detained while the van was searched, which quickly turned up seven stolen bikes.
These high-end bikes have retail prices ranging from $2,500 to $5,500, totaling $29,000 in value. In addition, officers found a crowbar and other burglary tools.
Officers arrested Douglas J. Rivas, 37 of Vallejo, and 39-year-old Victor Blanco-Dionisio of San Rafael. Both suspects were booked at Marin County Jail, but they are no longer in custody.
Rivas’ charges are burglary, conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, possession of burglary tools, and receiving stolen property.
Blanco-Dionisio’s charges are identical, in addition to accessory after the fact. Incidentally, he was also arrested March 2020 in San Francisco for receiving stolen property.
