A late-summer wave of bicycle thefts is sweeping through Howard County.

"They are spread all over," county police Sgt. George Belleville, a property crimes supervisor, said.

Belleville said the thefts come in two varieties: groups of thieves targeting expensive bicycles left in open garages and pawning or selling them on the street, and local juveniles stealing bicycles for joy rides.

Though thefts have been reported throughout the county, police have noticed a concentration in Columbia around Little Patuxent Parkway south of Route 32.

Belleville said police are compiling all bicycle theft cases and are considering offering a reward for information leading to the arrest of bicycle thieves.

"People should close their garage doors and record their bicycle serial numbers," Belleville said. "That would help a lot."

Pub Date: 8/19/98