Novato police seek to return dozens of bikes believed to be stolen

NOVATO, Calif. -- Novato police found five intact bicycles and 33 bicycle frames in a garage when they responded to a call about suspicious circumstances last week.

Police arrested a man at the scene for an alleged drug offense and seized the bicycles and frames for further investigation during the incident on Aug. 2, police Lt. Mike Howard said.

The Novato Police Department has posted photos of the bikes and frames on its Facebook page in hopes of finding their owners.

Anyone who recognizes any of the bikes is asked to call Detective Mike Wacholz at (415) 897-4361.

Police said hundreds of bikes are stolen in Marin County each year but 5 percent or fewer are recovered and returned to their owners.

The city of Novato participates in the National Bike Registry that helps return bikes to their owners. People can visit www.nationalbikeregistry.com to register or to find out more information.