On Friday morning, police officers and park rangers responded to Placentia Ave. near Fairview Park regarding a theft of a e-bike that had just occurred, according to the Costa Mesa Police Department.
The suspect had been seen riding toward the river trail on the stolen bicycle.
A sergeant quickly found the suspect exiting the river trail on the bike and stopped him. Turns out, the suspect had warrants for his arrest. He was also in possession of drugs.
Park rangers arrived to the stop with the victim, who identified the suspect and his stolen bicycle.
The suspect was taken to jail for grand theft, possession of drugs, and two felony warrants for burglary.
This is a great example of what it means to protect (arrest) and serve (return the e-bike to its rightful owner).
Based on California law, here’s a breakdown of the potential penalties the suspect could face for each of the charges:
1. Grand Theft (of the e-bike)
Under Penal Code § 487, grand theft applies when the stolen property is worth more than $950. E-bikes often exceed this value.
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in jail
- The charge is a wobbler, meaning it can be prosecuted as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the case details and criminal history 1.
2. Possession of Drugs
California law treats drug possession seriously but also offers rehabilitation-focused alternatives.
- Misdemeanor (most first-time or small-quantity cases):
- Up to 1 year in county jail
- Fines up to $1,000
- Probation and drug treatment programs may be offered instead of jail time
- Felony (for serious drugs or repeat offenders):
- Up to 3 years in state prison
- Larger fines and longer probation periods
- May trigger California’s Three Strikes Law if the person has prior serious convictions 2
3. Felony Warrants for Burglary
Burglary under Penal Code § 459 is categorized into two degrees:
- First-degree burglary (residential):
- Always a felony
- 2, 4, or 6 years in state prison
- Counts as a strike under California’s Three Strikes Law
- Second-degree burglary (commercial or non-residential):
- A wobbler
- Felony: 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years in county jail
- Misdemeanor: Up to 1 year in county jail 3
Additional Notes
- If convicted of multiple felonies, sentences may be served consecutively, increasing total jail time.
- The suspect may also face fines, probation, and restitution to the victim.
- Prior convictions and the nature of the crime (e.g., drug type, burglary location) heavily influence sentencing.