AVALON — Avalon police have arrested and charged a 26 year old man with stealing a police bicycle during an undercover police operation designed to reduce the number of bicycle thefts in the community.
On Monday, May 31st at 2:30am, Avalon Police intentionally placed a black performance mountain style bike belonging to the Avalon Police Department on the corner of 22nd Street and Dune Drive. Patrolman Jeffrey Christopher placed the bike at that location. Six individuals gathered near the bicycle, and one man got on the bike and started to ride it in circles around the group, with a female passenger sitting on the handlebars.
An Avalon Police Department Bike Patrol Team approached the group, and both subjects got off the bicycle. When the bicycle officers left, the male got back onto the bike and started to peddle southbound on Dune Drive by himself. Avalon Police Detective Joseph Gaughan pulled over the bicycle, and a subsequent investigation led to charges being filed against the suspect.
The suspect is identified as 26-year old Scott Gans of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Mr. Gans was charged with theft of a moveable property, which is a disorderly persons offense. He was processed at the Avalon Police Department and released on his own recognizance.
The Avalon Police Department will continue to arrest and charge individuals who take bicycles that do not belong to them. Police remind residents and visitors that bicycle thefts are crimes of opportunity, and bikes should be locked, or kept in secure buildings when not in use. Avalon Police have also begun a free, voluntary bicycle registration program. To register your bicycle with the Avalon Police Department, visit the Avalon Public Safety Building at 31st Street and Dune Drive.
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