Suspect arrested after burglary victim sees bike on Craigslist

RIVERVIEW — A teen stole an $870 bicycle and then tried to peddle it on Craigslist, deputies say. But the potential buyers included the victim, who alerted authorities.

The victim reported her Giant Avail bicycle stolen from her garage Wednesday. She recognized it in the online classified ads by the specialized handlebars she had installed. The suspect was seeking $670.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office detectives, posing as a married couple interested in the bike, set up a sting last Friday in a Sweetbay Supermarket parking lot.

While inspecting the bike, detectives matched the serial number provided by the victim, the Sheriff's Office said Monday.

After a brief chase, deputies arrested the suspect, who is 16 and lives in Riverview. He was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, charged with burglary of an occupied dwelling, third-degree grand theft, dealing in stolen property and obstructing an officer.