UCI police want public’s help in bike theft

UC Irvine police are asking for help identifying a person of interest in connection with a bike theft last year.

In a news release Wednesday, officials distributed the picture of a man they say may have been involved in the grand theft of a bicycle at a gas station near campus.

About 2:20 a.m. Nov. 7, police received a call about the theft. Witnesses described a possible suspect to police, saying they saw a white male in his 40s about 5 feet, 9 inches tall and weighing 150 pounds.

After searching through surveillance tapes at the gas station, UCI police released a photo of the man they believe may be involved.

Officials ask that anyone who recognizes him contact Sgt. Tony Frisbee at (949) 824-3398 or call UCI police at (949) 824-5223 and reference case No. 12-1301.

The release reiterated that more than 160 bicycles were stolen on campus in 2012 and urged students to register their bikes with UCI police.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck