Car thief out on bail arrested for stealing motorcycle

A 23-year-old man who was out on bail in connection to stealing a car in March is back behind bars once again after Palm Springs police officers found him in possession of a stolen motorcycle on Wednesday morning.

Someone reported a suspicious man in the 2300 block of South Calle Palo Fierro who was pushing and attempting to start a motorcycle around 7:45 a.m.

Authorities said they found Palm Springs resident Ernie Alexis Couto, also known as Ernie Couto Oviedo, in possession of a bicycle and a 1985 Yamaha motorcycle.

While investigating, police learned the motorcycle had been locked up in a carport in a gated complex in the 2600 block of South Palm Canyon Drive and the owner wasn’t aware it had been stolen.

Couto was also found in possession of stolen checks. Officers said he was arrested for vehicle theft, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen property, possession of burglary tools, committing a felony while out of custody on bail, a felony warrant and three misdemeanor warrants.

He was booked into the Riverside County Jail in Indio.