WESTFIELD – A city man was released from jail on Friday and managed to stay on the other side of the bars until almost midnight.
City police report that a 6:39 p.m. caller reported that her bicycle had been stolen in front of a Franklin Street liquor store.
Officers Patrick Shea and Sean Smith responded to the store and the victim said that she had parked her bicycle outside the store and, while she was inside, it was stolen.
Witnesses identified the suspect who reportedly stole the bike and indicated his direction of travel.
Store employees made the establishment’s security video available to the officers and Shea reports that on the video he saw a man he recognized to be Bryan Reno (29, last known to be of 97 Elm St.) drink a ‘nip’ bottle of alcohol, get on the bike and ride it away.
A search of the area did not reveal Reno but, by 7:10, Shea reports the bike was discovered in a nearby alley.
The victim took custody of her bicycle and placed its value at $290, more than the threshold triggering a felony larceny charge.
Shea reports that a criminal complaint was filed and, since Reno was found to have been released from incarceration that day and had no firm address, a warrant was sought.
However, at 11:46 that evening Auxiliary Officers Patrick Harper and Darrin Goddard reported that Reno had been spotted entering an Elm Street bar and Officer Michael Cekovsky reports Reno was taken into custody there.
Arrested for larceny of property valued more than $250, Reno is expected to be arraigned in Westfield District Court on Monday.
