Observant downtown residents help police track down bike thieves

MADISON, Wis. — Two observant downtown residents helped Madison police track down bicycle thieves Monday night, officials said.

The two roommates were inside their North Frances Street apartment just before 7 p.m. when they saw a van pull up outside, according to a release. Two men hopped out and used a bolt cutter to cut two bike locks.

The men grabbed the bikes and put them into the van, officials said. The roommates took a picture of the van and wrote down its license plate number before calling police.

Officers spotted the van Wednesday night in the 2700 block of East Washington Avenue, according to the release. Officers pulled the van over and arrested 28-year-old Aaron C. Hodges, of Madison, and 27-year-old Tyler K. McGrew, of Prairie du Sac.

Police believe Hodges and McGrew may be involved in other similar thefts.

One of the bikes stolen Monday night was sold at a pawn shop.

Drug paraphernalia, including needles, tourniquets and cooker tins, was found inside the van, police said.

Hodges faces tentative charges of theft and bail jumping. McGrew faces a tentative charge of party to the crime of theft.

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