Police: Bike Thief Tracked By Fingerprints

A man accused of taking a bike from the Missouri Avenue Walmart left the sales tags on the rack with his fingerprints, which helped the police find him, authorities said.

Randy Scott Lane, 46, was arrested Dec. 10 and charged with retail theft for the bike incident, which happened Nov. 18, police report.

According to the arrest affidavit, Lane arrived at Walmart riding a bike on Nov. 18. He headed to the store's bike display, where he reportedly removed the tags from a white Next brand boy's bike. He left the tags on the rack and headed to the accessory aisle, where he found a bike lock. Lane placed the lock on the bike. Then Lane made his way back to the parking lot, allegedly without paying for the bike. Lane reportedly told the store staff the bike belonged to him, police said.

Lane's Walmart trip was apparently not complete though. Just a few minutes later, he reportedly returned. This time he retrieved the bike that he originally rode to the store, police report.

Largo Police viewed surveillance video, got a clear description of the suspect and fingerprinted the tags left behind on the rack, police report.

Lane was awaiting trial in Pinellas County Jail on Dec. 10. Bond was set at $2,000.

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