Police Use Drone To Locate, Arrest Bike Theft Suspect In The South Bay

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — A suspect accused of trying to steal a bicycle and prompting road closures after fleeing from authorities in Hermosa Beach on Tuesday morning has been arrested, according to police.

Police say the suspect tried taking a bicycle parked outside the Café Bonaparte in Hermosa Beach just before 8 a.m.

But when the owner of the bicycle verbally confronted the suspect, they dropped it and ran away from the scene, according to the Hermosa Beach Police Department.

Officers responded to the scene and began searching for the suspect, who witnesses say had jumped over a fence, according to police.

The officers, with the help of the Manhattan Beach Police Department, established a perimeter around the area, closing down Hermosa Beach from Second to Fifth streets to traffic, authorities said.

With the help of a drone, officers located the suspects and took them into custody in connection with the attempted theft, authorities said.

The closures have since been lifted, authorities said.

"HBPD wants to thank community members for their quick response in helping identify and track the suspect, and for their continued role in making Hermosa Beach a safer place," the HBPD said in a statement Tuesday morning. "The Department also wants to thank Manhattan Beach PD for their partnership and timely assistance."

The HBPD asks that anyone who witnessed the attempted theft contact detectives at 310-318-0332.