San Diego

Federal Officer Attempting to Stop a Theft Kidnapped in Ocean Beach

A Federal Law Enforcement Officer attempting to stop a suspect from stealing a bicycle from his backyard was kidnapped in Ocean Beach on Friday morning, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) confirmed.

The incident began at approximately 7:10 a.m. Friday at the officer's home near Narragansett Avenue and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard.

The officer witnessed the suspect from the second floor of his home take a bike from his backyard and place it in the back of a Chevy pick-up truck. The officer then grabbed his badge and confronted the suspect outside his home.

SDPD says there were two suspects inside the truck, identified as Adan Bustos and Arisdelsi Sanches, both 23-years old. Bustos had been the one to steal the bicycle while Sanches waited in the truck. 

When the officer approached Bustos and Sanches and identified himself, they drove off. That's when the officer jumped into the bed of the truck.

SDPD said the suspects drove onto the freeway and exited in the downtown area of San Diego, driving more than seven miles before stopping. The officer was able to call police using his cell phone.

Bustos then crashed the truck into a large concrete planter box located near 4th Avenue and K Street in downtown. Police say the officer was able to get out of the truck at this time.

NBC 7 spoke with some San Diegans who said if the officer did that for his own bike, they wonder what he will do to help a citizen in need. 

"Pretty crazy and brave of that officer to do that because he'll do that for himself or someone else, if that is his or someone else's bike," Dominic Trip said.

 Others said they are more cautious of how they put away their own bicycles.

"Makes me want to make sure my bike is locked up, whether it's here with a lock or in my garage," said Sherry Herbert.

Police say Sanches also got out when the truck stopped and ran away. She was later arrested near 500 K Street. 

Bustos drove away, stopped at 6th Avenue and K Street where the truck rolled backward and crashed into a parked vehicle. He then took off on foot and got into a taxi near 6th Avenue and L Street, according to police. 

Officers stopped the taxi at 600 Harbor Drive and arrested Bustos. 

Police say the Chevy pick-up Bustos and Sanches had been driving was a stolen vehicle. Both suspects were booked into jail on several felony charges.

It's unknown if the officer was injured. 

No other information was immediately available.

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