Date: September 2nd 2010

SOUTHAMPTON PATROL APPREHENDS BIKE THIEF

Forwarded message from the SOUTHAMPTON/BOCA Patrol Service:

At 3:00 a.m. yesterday morning (090110) Officer Joe Mabasa received a call regarding a suspicious male peering into cars in the 1300 block of Banks. When he arrived he found a male pushing a bike with flat tires in the 1000 block of Banks.  Seeing the approaching Patrol vehicle the suspect pushed the bike to the side of the road to conceal it.  Officer Mabasa detained and interviewed the suspect and arrested him.  Officer Mabasa had heard a burglary call in the 2400 block of North Blvd. a few hours earlier. He contacted the investigating HPD unit and learned that the bike stolen from the resident's garage also had flat tires. He then loaded the suspect and bike into the Patrol truck and headed to the 2400 block of North where the bike owner made a positive identification.  The suspect is now in the city jail.  

It was later discovered through interview that the suspect, who had numerous prior burglary and theft arrests, was responsible for a significant number of recent bike thefts and auto burglaries in Southampton and Boulevard Oaks, Rice University, West U, and other nearby neighborhoods. As it turned out, the suspect was providing the bikes to a partner who was then reselling them on ebay. 

Joe Mabasa is a great officer who always does his job well and with a great attitude.  He alone stopped a major crook who is probably single-handedly responsible for the many bike thefts we have suffered in recent months, as well as auto burglaries.    

SPEED ENFORCEMENT ON RICE BLVD.

HPD will be ticketing this week along Rice Blvd.  between Ashby and Shepherd where the digital speed feedback wagons are situated.  Rice University requested temporary placement of these devices to help control traffic speeds. Please remember to obey all posted regulations in order to avoid being ticketed.