Monday, February 11, 2013

Man attempts to sell stolen bike to TPD Detectives

On January 28th, 2013 at approximately 8:45 a.m.a victim secured her Specialized Hybrid Globe 1 bicycle to the bicycle rack located on the College Avenue side of the Davis Sq. MBTA station in Somerville. Upon her return at approximately 6 p.m. that same evening the bicycle was missing. The victim reported the theft to Transit Police and the case was assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit. On February 7, 2013 the victim contacted the Transit Police detective with whom she had been working with and reported seeing her bicycle for sale on Craigslist. Detectives confirmed the existence of the posting in Craigslist and conducted an undercover sting to determine the origins of the bike advertised for sale. Detectives communicated with the poster of the Craigslist advertisement via telephone and email where he again offered a woman's Specialized Hybrid Globe 1 bicycle for sale.

On February 8, 2013 (YES, same day as Blizzard 2013) the poster of the advertisement, Phillip Pinto 38 of Somerville set up a meeting with whom he believed was an interested customer. In fact the interested customer Pinto had arranged the meeting with were Transit Police detectives. At approximately noon time as the Blizzard of 2013 was beginning in earnest Pinto was waiting, bicycle in hand, at the pre-arranged meeting location. (Temple Street, Somerville). Detectives confirmed the serial numbers of the woman's Globe 1 bike Pinto was offering for sale to that of the victim's stolen bicycle. Detectives confiscated the bicycle and placed Pinto into custody for Receiving Stolen Property. Pinto was transported to Transit Police HQ for the arrest booking process. Pinto is expected to be arraigned sometime today in Somerville District Court.
tpdnews.
Transit Police/Phillip Pinto