3 arrested after riding away on police ‘bait’ bicycle

The Palm Springs Police Department arrested three men after they were seen taking a bait bicycle during a recent undercover operation to combat bicycle theft in the city.

The undercover surveillance was conducted near Sunrise Park and other areas of the city. Sergeant Harvey Reed said the three men who were arrested for allegedly stealing the bike are all from Palm Springs.

Gilbert Langford, 43, faces charges of grand theft and violating parole
Marcos Gonzalez, 29, faces charges of grand theft and violating probation
Charles Wunderlich, 30, faces charges of grand theft, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and violating probation

Grand theft most commonly occurs when the value of the stolen property exceeds $950, according to California law. All three suspects were booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.

The Palm Springs Police Department set up bait bicycle surveillance earlier this year as well and arrested three men in two different stings.