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Police Warn Residents Of Increase In Bicycle Thefts After Several Are Taken From Playa Del Rey

PLAYA DEL REY (CBSLA.com) — Police have issued a warning amid a spike in bicycle thefts and released security footage of three people suspected in some of the thefts.

Karen and Buddy Weiss say they had no idea until their bikes were stolen from their locked condominium garage in Playa del Rey.

The theft of the Weiss' two bikes valued at nearly $5,000 was caught on tape. The manager of the condominium complex accuses three suspects of stealing five bikes on Aug. 12 using bolt cutters to cut the locks.

Police say they may be responsible for other thefts. This month alone, there have been 28 thefts in beach areas, which is more than double from that of last month.

"We have a few groups that I think are working the area and we have a lot more people that are using the smaller bike cables that aren't appropriate," said Detective Robyn Salazar of the LAPD.

Police are recommending that bike owners use heavy duty locks that can't be cut, avoid leaving bikes out overnight, and always attach your bike to something sturdy, avoiding poles and trees.

They also recommend registering the serial number of the bike on the National Bike Registry.

Police say most thieves dismember the bikes in order to sell the parts, but others are found in pawn shops.

Weiss hopes authorities will find their bikes in one piece and that the suspects are ultimately apprehended.

"Very quickly, they just cut the locks, remove the bikes, walk out. They're not kids. They're professionals," Weiss said.

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