FIVE BIKES STOLEN FROM CHARITY RIDERS.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - Thieves took five motorcycles, including two customized Harley Davidsons, from people planning to participate in the charity Love Ride, officials reported Sunday.

The motorcycles were taken from the riders, some from Northern California, while they were staying at area hotels or eating at a local restaurant, authorities said.

Sheriff's deputies were on the lookout for thieves over the weekend because motorcycles have been stolen in the past from people intending to join charity rides, officials said.

``It's quite common,'' said sheriff's Sgt. Ron Olfert.

``According to Bob Norleman, who runs our Downed Officer Ride, there's only been one year where there was no theft during this weekend. We try to put on extra patrols, but there's always quite a few thefts,'' Olfert said. ``You see the bikes parked in front of hotels or restaurants; it's easy for somebody to walk out and put one of those expensive bikes on a trailer.''

In an effort to prevent thefts this year, the Santa Clarita station organized a special patrol Saturday night, using a team of volunteers and reserve sheriff's deputies to police the area.

``We hope that we prevented something, but we can't be everywhere at once,'' said Olfert.

Sgt. Steve Jenkins, who participated in the Saturday patrol, said that a total of five motorcycles were lost this year.

``They get stolen all along the route, from Burbank and Glendale and here in the Santa Clarita Valley,'' Jenkins said. ``There was a group of people who got here on Thursday and had four motorcycles in a trailer. When they drove up here, they found the lock had been broken and two of the bikes had been stolen.''

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com