Sacramento County teen had bike stolen for second time
A teen in Sacramento County said his bike was stolen from him, and it’s not the first time. Dennis Vinsant, 15, rode to the Dollar Tree off Interstate 80 and Watt Avenue on Friday afternoon so he could buy some snacks and cold drinks. After checking out, he said he went to unlock his bicycle outside the store’s front doors when he saw a man walking back and forth. He said the man then approached him with his hands in his sweatshirt, appearing to be holding a possible weapon in the front pocket, and demanded that the teen give him his bike. “Honestly, I just froze and tried to ask him not to do it, not to take my bike,” Vinsant said. “I need it to get to place to place. Sometimes, my mom can’t give me a drive.”He said the man, described as about 5 foot 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, wearing all black with a face mask, was much larger than him.Vinsant went inside the Dollar Tree and called 911.He said three deputies arrived to help him. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is investigating.Although Vinsant is physically unharmed, he is still feeling nervous.The worst part?This is the second time his bicycle was stolen.After someone cut the lock of his first bike, the teen’s mother received help from her co-workers and friends to collect enough money to buy the second, new bike, which was stolen Friday. The teen’s family has lived in the surrounding neighborhood for 11 years and said they have noticed an increase in crime over the past two to three years.”It’s just heartbreaking that I feel like our community is getting less and less safe each day,” said Lisa Vinsant, the teen’s mother. “My son should be able to come to the Dollar Store for a snack after school without worrying if he’s safe or not.”
SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif. —
A teen in Sacramento County said his bike was stolen from him, and it’s not the first time.
Dennis Vinsant, 15, rode to the Dollar Tree off Interstate 80 and Watt Avenue on Friday afternoon so he could buy some snacks and cold drinks. After checking out, he said he went to unlock his bicycle outside the store’s front doors when he saw a man walking back and forth.
He said the man then approached him with his hands in his sweatshirt, appearing to be holding a possible weapon in the front pocket, and demanded that the teen give him his bike.
“Honestly, I just froze and tried to ask him not to do it, not to take my bike,” Vinsant said. “I need it to get to place to place. Sometimes, my mom can’t give me a drive.”
He said the man, described as about 5 foot 9 inches tall, 200 pounds, wearing all black with a face mask, which was much larger than him.
Vinsant went inside the Dollar Tree and called 911.
He said three deputies arrived to help him. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is investigating.
Although Vinsant is physically unharmed, he is still feeling nervous.
The worst part?
This is the second time his bicycle was stolen.
After someone cut the lock of his first bike, the teen’s mother received help from her co-workers and friends to collect enough money to buy the second, new bike, which was stolen Friday.
The teen’s family has lived in the surrounding neighborhood for 11 years and said they have noticed an increase in crime over the past two to three years.
“It’s just heartbreaking that I feel like our community is getting less and less safe each day,” said Lisa Vinsant, the teen’s mother. “My son should be able to come to the Dollar Store for a snack after school without worrying if he’s safe or not.”