Victim Helps Solve Bike Theft Case

The juvenile victim of a bicycle theft in Murrieta helped police catch the suspect this week by using a photo he had stored on his cell phone.

The victim and a friend were inside June 27 when their bikes were allegedly stolen from outside the restaurant, according to police.

Through video surveillance captured at the restaurant, thought to have taken the bikes. The photos were posted in a wanted flier on the department's website in the event the public might help identify them.

On Monday, the victim matched a person he saw at to the photo of one of the suspects, said Sgt. Ron Driscoll.

The victim watched the suspect go to the ampm parking lot next door, where he talked with co-workers while they pumped gas, Driscoll said. The victim then called his father.

"The victim’s father called Murrieta PD and responded to (ampm)—ultimately blocking the subject’s vehicle with his own vehicle until police arrived," Driscoll said in a news release.

The suspect, Erick Watte, 25, of Rainbow, was arrested by Murrieta police on suspicion of possession of stolen property and theft with priors.

"He was taken into custody and later led officers to one of the stolen bicycles at his residence," Driscoll said.

The other bicycle was dropped off near the entrance to the police department by an unknown subject, Driscoll said.

The second suspect is still being sought. Anyone with information can contact Sgt. Phil Gomez at 951-461‐6356 or the on-duty watch commander at 951-696-3615.

Police asked residents to familiarize themselves with the "Murrieta's Most Wanted" section on their website.