Charges pending against four in moped thefts; Could more people soon be arrested?

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- There has been an increase in car thefts in Milwaukee this summer, and now, police say thieves are also targeting mopeds. Milwaukee police say they have arrested four people -- and more arrests could be coming.

FOX6 News has obtained a search warrant that has details about the increase in moped thefts that have been reported on the city's east side.

Last week, an alert neighbor led police to four people who could be connected to a number of those thefts.

Corey Smith at Brady Street Hardware suggests a number of different locks people can use to secure their mopeds.

"Bare minimum, a basic bicycle lock, or there`s a heavier duty Master Lock," Smith said.

This, as police are reporting thefts of mopeds.

A FOX6 News crew observed mopeds on Brady Street on Wednesday, August 13th -- many of them unlocked. Mopeds are light enough to be lifted into a truck or van.

Court documents show that's what four people tried to do early Friday morning at a home on Franklin Place.

A neighbor saw a suspicious pick-up truck back into a driveway. Three people got out, and put a moped into the truck.

The neighbor called police, and the three suspected thieves were arrested, along with a fourth suspect who was allegedly part of the attempted heist.

A search warrant says one of the suspects led police to a home on the city's south side. There, investigators found a moped that had been reported stolen from an east side apartment complex, along with two license plates from stolen mopeds.

Investigators have since obtained a warrant to search another south side home for more evidence.

Smith says it may look extreme, but he suggests moped owners buy a big chain and a big lock.

"That`s what I would recommend. Drop the money on a huge lock and chain because how much is it gonna cost you in either insurance or replacing the bike?" Smith said.

A Milwaukee police lieutenant says charges are still pending against the four suspects. He says the investigation is still active, and more arrests could be coming.