With e-bikes retailing as much as $2,500,Key Biscayne has been an attractive target for thieves, where the devices are as controversial as they are popular. Village Police say they arrested a 28-year-old man suspected in seven bicycle heists on the island.
Police were on the lookout for a man fitting the description of Michael Paulo McKenzie when they pulled him over Sunday for riding an e-bicycle in the wrong direction on the southbound bicycle lane of the Rickenbacker Causeway.
McKenzie, according to the arrest report, was in possession of bolt cutters. Besides felony grand theft charges, court records show he was booked on possession of fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. He has a history of petty crime and drug arrests, according to court records.
The 11 charges filed against McKenzie collectively carry $38,000 bond. As of late Wednesday he remained at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.
Besides the seven suspected bicycle thefts on Key Biscayne, police said McKenzie is considered the prime suspect in three other bicycle thefts in Coral Gables.
The bicycle thefts occurred between February and May of this year. On the latest police blotter related by the Key Biscayne Police, there were three bicycle thefts – two of the Super 73 brand with their telltale wide tires popular with some of the island teens.
And indeed, McKenzie was riding a Super 73 valued at $1,400 when he was pulled over, police said in the arrest report.
Police say surveillance cameras caught McKenzie entering the parking lot attached to the apartments at 600 Grapetree Drive. Police recognized the culprit as the man wanted for other bike thefts and issued a be-on-the-lookout to officers
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Key Biscayne police have had a good run in making arrests for wanted suspects.
It was an investigation of bicycle theft on May 10 that resulted in an arrest for a fugitive on the run from a homicide charge in Pennsylvania.
Then on May 14, Key Biscayne police were involved in a traffic stop that resulted in an arrest of a woman linked to a domestic charge wanted for tampering with an electronic device.
JOHN PACENTI is the executive editor of the Key Biscayne Independent. John has worked for The Associated Press, the Palm Beach Post, Daily Business Review, and WPTV-TV.