A robbery suspect was recently arrested after he forcefully pushed the victim off his bicycle and onto the street, according to a statement issued on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020 by the Seal Beach Police Department.
On Dec. 19, 2019 at about 10 a.m., the Police Department received a call of a robbery which occurred near the intersection of Seal Beach Boulevard and Pacific Coast Highway. The victim was riding his bicycle when he was approached by the suspect. The suspect forcefully pushed the victim off his bike and into the lanes of traffic. The suspect took the bicycle and quickly rode away.
Robbery is defined as the threat or application of force to take someone’s money or property.
A passing motorist witnessed the robbery and called the police. The witness provided a description of the suspect to dispatchers, who relayed the message to the responding officers. Patrol officers as well as the Community-Oriented Policing Team, immediately responded to the area and quickly located the suspect a short distance away. Fortunately, the victim was not seriously injured when the suspect pushed him off the bike and into the street. However, his bicycle and helmet were both damaged.
The suspect was identified as James Spells, 24, of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was arrested on suspicion of robbery, processed at the Seal Beach Detention Center, and ultimately booked at the Orange County Jail.
“Had it not been for the observant witness who saw the robbery and immediately called the police, we might not have caught the suspect so quickly,” said COP Team Officer Victor Ruiz. “We appreciate it when the community can help be an extra set of eyes and ears.”
In light of the unfortunate incident and the spirit of the holiday season, the responding officers decided to help the victim get back to riding. The Seal Beach Police Officers’ Association donated money to purchase a new bicycle and helmet for the victim
