Probationer Arrested In Theft Of Disabled Boy's Specialized Tricycle

BURBANK (CBSLA.com) — A probationer was being held without bail Friday in the theft of a 13-year-old disabled boy's $5,300 tricycle from the parking garage of a Burbank apartment complex.

Carlos Andres Lopez, 47, of Los Angeles, was arrested Wednesday at a scheduled meeting with his probation officer, Burbank police Sgt. Claudio Losacco said.

The gray-and-black tricycle was taken from a secured garage at 4524 Clybourn Ave. on Jan. 23 and recovered five days later after someone who saw news reports about the theft spotted the specialized Berkel brand device.

"Burbank police forensics specialists lifted evidence from the recovered bicycle, leading detectives to (Lopez)," Losacco said.

Lopez was booked on suspicion of burglary and grand theft and is scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday.

Losacco said Lopez admitted to stealing the tricycle, as well as a sewing machine that was in the bed of a pickup truck in the same parking garage.

"Lopez said he was planning to sell the bike, but after hearing about and seeing the media coverage, he knew he wouldn't be able to sell it, so he decided to dump it," Losacco said.

Lopez has 25 felony arrests and 10 felony convictions on his record. Some of the convictions -- possession of a firearm, burglary, drug sales, vehicle theft and receiving stolen property -- led to prison time, Losacco said.

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