By Jim Clark

Police responded to a Memorial Rd. residence last week on reports of a stolen bicycle.

Upon arrival, the officers were told by the mother of the victim, a juvenile, that her daughter’s bicycle was stolen by an individual who the woman was familiar with, police said.

The alleged thief, an adult later identified as Ghita Bobocea, had reportedly told the young victim that the bike she was riding was his. The victim, reportedly intimidated by the man, carefully stepped off the bike, at which time Bobocea took it from her and left the area.

The bicycle was described as being turquoise blue, with training wheels.

The victim’s mother informed the officers of Bobocea’s address, as he lived nearby, and they proceeded there to question him.

Bobocea reportedly let the officers into his apartment and immediately began complaining to them that several people were trying to steal bicycles that belonged to him, according to reports.

The officers noted that there were four bicycles present in the apartment, one of them fitting the description of the reporting party’s bike.

Bobocea reportedly told the officers that he had bought the bicycles at yard sales. He further stated that the bike reported as stolen was his property, but he could not produce any proof of ownership, police said.

The victim’s family told the officers that the bike had been bought three years earlier.

The little girl reportedly told police that she thought Bobocea was joking at first, and she tried to get back on the bike, but then he pulled it away from her.

Bobocea was placed under arrest and charged with unarmed robbery.