PALM DESERT: Two men arrested during Sheriff’s “Bait Bike” operation

PALM DESERT — Two men who couldn’t resist the temptation of trying to ride away on an unattended bicycle were both surprised to discover they had attempted to steal a bicycle left by sheriff’s officials conducting a “Bait Bike” operation, Friday, Sept. 8.

The fifteen-hour-long operation, aimed at suppressing bicycle thefts and apprehend suspects began at 6 a.m. and concluded at 9 p.m., and resulted in the arrest of 29-year old, John Mahaffey and 33-year-old, Brian Madigan, Riverside Sheriff’s Sergeant Matthew Koser explained after the successful program.

Members from the Riverside County Sheriff’s Palm Desert Business District Team and Special Enforcement Team conducted the bicycle bait sting, specifically targeting commercial businesses in the 73600 block of Hwy 111, in Palm Desert, where previous recent bicycle thefts have occurred.

Both alleged suspects were later booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio for grand theft and conspiracy, said Koser. To be considered grand theft, the bicycle used during the sting had to have a value of more than $950.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to call Palm Desert Business District Team Deputy Stan at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station at (760) 836-1664. Callers can refer to incident file number T172510077 and can remain anonymous. Citizens may also submit a tip using the Sheriff’s CrimeTips online form.

 

Contact the writer: [email protected]

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Trevor Montgomery runs Riverside County News Source and Shasta County News Source. Additionally, he writes for Riverside County based newspapers Valley News, The Valley Chronicle and Anza Valley Outlook and also writes for Bonsall/Fallbrook Village News in San Diego County.

Trevor spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an Orthopedic Specialist before joining the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1998. He was medically retired after losing his leg, breaking his back and suffering both spinal cord and brain injuries in an off-duty accident.

During his time with the sheriff’s department, Trevor worked at several different stations, including Robert Presley Detention Center, Southwest Station in Temecula, Hemet/Valle Vista Station, Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center and Lake Elsinore Station, along with other locations.

Trevor’s assignments included Corrections, Patrol, DUI Enforcement, Boat and Personal Water-Craft based Lake Patrol, Off-Road Vehicle Enforcement, Problem Oriented Policing Team and Personnel/Background Investigations. He finished his career while working as a Sex Crimes and Child Abuse Investigator and was a court-designated expert in child abuse and child sex-related crimes.

Trevor has been married for more than 27 years and was a foster parent to more than 60 children over 13 years. He is now an adoptive parent and has 13 children and 14 grandchildren.