FYI-
Dad, son arrested in thefts of motorcycles
William Hermann
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 22, 2006 12:00 AM
About 25 stolen motorcycles, the kind you often see young riders hunched over as they blaze past you on the freeway, were recovered Tuesday by Arizona lawmen.
The state Department of Public Safety-supervised Vehicle Theft Task Force has been working for the past six months to find out who was stealing so many $10,000 to $12,000 high-performance bikes. On Tuesday, authorities arrested a father and son who they say had been working as a team.
Undercover officers had made purchases from Steven Hymer, 25, of Chandler, and Raymond Hymer, 49, of El Mirage. The two were arrested on charges of theft of means, conspiracy and trafficking in stolen property. Each motorcycle recovered could represent another count when charges are filed.
DPS officials said there may be other arrests.
Lt. Bob Ticer led the team that has been conducting surveillance and making undercover purchases. He and his officers seized 19 motorcycles at a storage facility in the 4000 block of West Indian School Road, as well others in Cave Creek, Mesa, Chandler, Avondale and El Mirage.
Ticer said that because most of the motorcycles were stolen several months ago, few would be returned to their original owners.
"Most will probably go to insurance companies that have already paid out for the theft loss," Ticer said.
DPS spokesman Officer Frank Valenzuela said that the insurance pay-out on these vehicles and the thousands of others stolen in Arizona every year is one reason police agencies put so many resources into stopping the thefts.
"We all pay higher insurance premiums because so many vehicles are stolen," Valenzuela said.
He said that there are other reasons to target vehicle thieves.
"Some of these people are aggressive and dangerous individuals who will do whatever it takes to get what they want, including using deadly force," he said. "We want to get them off the streets."
According to DPS statistics, Arizona is second in the nation per capita in vehicle thefts. Nevada is first. About 32,000 cars, 18,000 trucks and buses and 3,000 motorcycles were stolen in 2004, the last year for which a report is available.
Dad, son arrested in thefts of motorcycles
William Hermann
The Arizona Republic
Mar. 22, 2006 12:00 AM
About 25 stolen motorcycles, the kind you often see young riders hunched over as they blaze past you on the freeway, were recovered Tuesday by Arizona lawmen.
The state Department of Public Safety-supervised Vehicle Theft Task Force has been working for the past six months to find out who was stealing so many $10,000 to $12,000 high-performance bikes. On Tuesday, authorities arrested a father and son who they say had been working as a team.
Undercover officers had made purchases from Steven Hymer, 25, of Chandler, and Raymond Hymer, 49, of El Mirage. The two were arrested on charges of theft of means, conspiracy and trafficking in stolen property. Each motorcycle recovered could represent another count when charges are filed.
DPS officials said there may be other arrests.
Lt. Bob Ticer led the team that has been conducting surveillance and making undercover purchases. He and his officers seized 19 motorcycles at a storage facility in the 4000 block of West Indian School Road, as well others in Cave Creek, Mesa, Chandler, Avondale and El Mirage.
Ticer said that because most of the motorcycles were stolen several months ago, few would be returned to their original owners.
"Most will probably go to insurance companies that have already paid out for the theft loss," Ticer said.
DPS spokesman Officer Frank Valenzuela said that the insurance pay-out on these vehicles and the thousands of others stolen in Arizona every year is one reason police agencies put so many resources into stopping the thefts.
"We all pay higher insurance premiums because so many vehicles are stolen," Valenzuela said.
He said that there are other reasons to target vehicle thieves.
"Some of these people are aggressive and dangerous individuals who will do whatever it takes to get what they want, including using deadly force," he said. "We want to get them off the streets."
According to DPS statistics, Arizona is second in the nation per capita in vehicle thefts. Nevada is first. About 32,000 cars, 18,000 trucks and buses and 3,000 motorcycles were stolen in 2004, the last year for which a report is available.
