The Sacramento Police Department arrested 39-year-old, Lee Crider, for the theft of Lance Armstrong's team bicycles. Police also arrested 34-year-old, Dung Le, for possession of stolen property.
On Sunday, February 15, 2009, a report was made to the Sacramento Police Department regarding four bicycles that were stolen from the back of a Ryder truck which contained 26 bicycles. The bicycles belonged to Team Astana who were in Sacramento competing in the Amgen Tour of California. The truck was parked in a downtown Sacramento alley between 15th and 16th Streets near L Street. The thief pried an exterior lock which secured the bicycles inside the truck. One of the stolen bicycles belonged to Armstrong.
On February 18, 2009, Dung Le drove to the police station and turned in Lance Armstrong's bicycle. Detectives confirmed that the bike was in fact Armstrong's stolen bicycle.
On February 20, 2009, detectives served a search warrant at Le's residence. Evidence obtained as a result of the search warrant service led detectives to the identity of Lee Crider. Detectives were able to link Crider to the actual theft of the bicycles. Based on the information obtained during the investigation, detectives believe that Crider stole the bicycles during the night as a crime of opportunity when he noticed the Ryder truck in the alleyway with a lock that was easily removed. Crider stole all the three bicycles and later sold one bicycle to Dung Le. Detectives have not been able to locate the other two blue Trek bicycles that were stolen. Detectives arrested Dung Le because it is believed that he initially obtained Lance Armstrong's bicycle knowing it was stolen and for reasons other than to return it to its owner.
On April 7, 2009, the Sacramento Police Department added the charge of burglary on Lee Crider, who was already in custody on a parole violation. Dung Le was arrested at his home without incident.
Dung Le
Lee Crider
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