Bravo to the Harbor Police

Friday, 16 December 2011
Contact: John Gilmore (619) 686-6222, (619) 686-7206

Stephen Mann is giving a big shout out to the Harbor Police Department and two of its officers.

Mann praised Officers Michael Bishop and Officer Robert Brownyard for arresting two people suspected in the theft of two of his high-end bicycles. The bicycles were snatched from Mann's 38-foot sail boat - the same boat he used in 2008 to travel around the world in eight months and five days. Thanks to the officers, he is back riding the bikes.

"I hope this accolade is reported wherever it can bring a smile," Mann wrote in a letter to the Port of San Diego's Harbor Police Department. "I am writing to say Bravo!"

The bicycles - one valued at more than $6,000, the other valued at more than $2,000 - were on the vessel that was moored in Marina Cortez in Harbor Island. Mann reported the late evening or early morning theft on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, to the Harbor Police Department, which provides police services throughout San Diego Bay.

Officer Bishop met with Mann to gather the details of the theft. Meanwhile, Mann, a boat captain-turned-sleuth, scanned the Internet and found four Craigslist ads for his bicycles – and their pictures. He reported his discovery to Officers Bishop and Brownyard.

Officer Brownyard conducted his own detective work. Posing as a buyer, the officer met the seller in a Mission Valley parking lot. Not only did he get the bicycles but he discovered some additional items, including heroin and stolen license plates.

As a result of the officer's discovery, a 27-year-old man from El Cajon was arrested. He was charged with possession of stolen property, an unregistered firearm, a deadly weapon, stolen vehicle license plates and heroin. His girlfriend, whom Harbor Police officers identified as a 19 year old from Lakeside, was charged with possession of methamphetamine.

"Unbelievably, my bikes were recovered, and promptly," Mann wrote. The bikes were stripped of all accessories, including a $500 lighting system and computer. Mann said he will spend more than $1,000 to replace the accessories.

"I have made offers to reward you somehow, but have been told that you were just doing your job," Mann wrote to the department.

Well, said Mann, it's a fine job they are doing.

"If you see a guy on a bike smiling and waiving at you, it might be me."

The Harbor Police is the law enforcement arm of the Port of San Diego and has about 130 sworn officers – all trained as firefighters and police officers. The jurisdiction of the Harbor Police includes San Diego Bay, the San Diego International Airport, as well as the tidelands of the five member cities: San Diego, Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, and National City.