UC Davis police say a suspected bike thief posed an additional threat to the public before he was apprehended by officers earlier this week.
John Allen Birtwhistle, 31, of Woodland, allegedly had two loaded firearms and ammunition in his possession when police took him into custody following a short pursuit, UCD Police Chief Matt Carmichael said.
Carmichael said officers responded at about 5:30 a.m. Monday to reports of a man stealing bikes in the Primero Grove student housing area south of Russell Boulevard. They arrived to find Birtwhistle, who matched the description provided by the caller.
“As they attempted to stop him, he fled on a bicycle,” Carmichael said, adding that Birtwhistle later ditched the bike and tried to run, but officers caught up with him.
In addition to the firearms, the officers reported finding methamphetamine and a “large quantity” of stolen mail from Yolo County residences, Carmichael said. Five allegedly stolen high-end bikes were recovered nearby from Birtwhistle’s truck.
Police are asking anyone whose bike was stolen late Sunday or early Monday to call 530-754-COPS to report the theft. Officers also will be working with other local law-enforcement agencies to identify the mail theft victims, Carmichael said.
Carmichael said police have arrested three suspected bike thieves on campus since Dec. 8, prompting officers to boost their patrols. Anyone who notices suspicious behavior in their neighborhood is encouraged to report it immediately, he said.
— Reach Lauren Keene at lkeene@davisenterprise.net or 530-747-8048. Follow her on Twitter at @laurenkeene