Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";} D.C. Police have found a disturbing trend in robberies in Columbia Heights.
More and more are involving the suspects stealing cell phones or other items while riding bicycles.
News4 obtained an e-mail from the Third District commander to his officers, suggesting they conduct bicycle stops to determine ownership.
The e-mail says “If the rider cannot prove ownership, take the bike for safekeeping until they can prove they own the bike.”
Some riders are skeptical that this plan will work, pointing out they don’t have a bike license and have owned their bikes for a long time -- some more than 10 years.
Actual bike theft is also a growing problem for D.C. residents.
Police Chief Cathy Lanier said owners should join the National Bike Registry to help them recover their bike if it is stolen.
