On 6/11/2013 at approximately 5:15PM Mountain View Police Department (MVPD) received a call of a bicycle theft that had just occurred at the Mountain View CalTrain Station. The witness observed the suspect approach a group of locked bicycles then heard the sound of a lock being cut. The suspect was seen by the witness concealing a pair of bolt cutters beneath his shirt. Realizing the suspect was in the process of stealing a bicycle, the witness took great care to observe his clothing and direction of travel, which was relayed to police dispatch.
Officers arrived in the area shortly thereafter and headed east on West Evelyn Avenue – the suspect’s last known direction of travel. The suspect was described as a white male adult wearing an orange-colored, long sleeved shirt, blue jeans and black sneakers with white stripes on the sides. He was also wearing a white helmet and riding on the stolen white bicycle.
One of MVPD’s motor officers was in the area looking for the suspect when he located an individual matching his description heading southbound on the Stevens Creek Trail. Upon seeing the officer, the suspect took off on the stolen bicycle and did not comply with the officer’s numerous requests that he stop. A brief chase of the suspect ensued at which point the officer called for additional units to respond to El Camino Real and Highway 85. The suspect was apprehended and the witness confirmed he was indeed the same person who stole the bicycle from the CalTrain Station.
The suspect was identified as Alden Garcia, Sr., a parolee out of San Jose, CA. He was subsequently arrested for resisting arrest, possession of stolen property and petty theft with priors. Garcia, Sr. was also booked on charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance. Additionally, a parole hold was placed on Garcia, Sr. who was transported to the Santa Clara County Main Jail without incident.
This arrest illustrates how a watchful community member assisted MVPD by reporting a suspicious individual who was ultimately arrested on several charges. "It's through collaborative relationships with our alert and caring community that allows us to locate and capture criminals and deters crime," says Acting Lt. Mike Fisher. "Just last week we had a similar incident where a Mountain View resident reported a suspicious person with a crowbar. This call resulted in the arrest of a burglary suspect. We continue to urge the Mountain View community to always "See Something, Say Something.”
Please report any suspicious individuals and/or activity by calling 9-1-1 or our non-emergency line at 650-903-6395.
