By Jim Sterne
News EditorOn Saturday, July 6, Christopher Smith, 25, of the 5900 block of W. 88th Pl. was arrested for allegedly stealing a bicycle worth $2,500 in the 2800 block of N. Clark St. Smith stated at the time of his arrest that he may be responsible for as many as 30 bicycles stolen from that location in the last two months. He is scheduled to appear in Br. 24-2 on Aug. 16.
Area Three detectives are in the process of matching police reports to bicycles that were pawned by the alleged offender at a pawn shop in the 2300 block of W. North Ave.
The owners of a store near Clark St. and Diversey Ave. reported that they saw a white male with red hair and numerous tattoos on his arms and legs stealing a bicycle.
The offender was seen riding a woman's bicycle to the Cash America pawn shop. Police noticed a suspect matching the witness' description riding a women's bicycle and stopped the suspect for questioning.
"You got me," Smith immediately said. He was informed of his rights and added, "I'm a thief and steal bikes to support my drug habit."
All the bicycles that Smith allegedly stole were in the vicinity of Century Mall at Clark St. and Diversey Ave. Area Three detectives are matching police reports to bicycles at local pawn shops in the ongoing investigation.
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