A 35-year-old transient who allegedly stole a bicycle only to turn around and allegedly use the bike to extort a $100 gift card from victim, was arrested on suspicion of both petty theft and extortion.
On Friday, deputies with the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station responded reports of a bicycle theft on the 18900 block of Soledad Canyon Road, near Luther Drive, Shirley Miller, spokeswoman for the SCV Sheriff’s Station told The Signal.
“It was reported that the victim’s bike had been taken by a transient,” she said.
“Allegedly, the victim was told to give him a $100 Target gift card to get the bike back. The bike was a BMX.” Miller said.
Deputies located a man matching the description of the suspect on the 18500 block of Soledad Canyon Road, near Sierra Highway.
The suspect, who was on probation at the time of the incident, was then arrested.
661-287-5527
On Twitter @jamesarthurholt
