Charlotte County deputies arrest man accused of stealing e-bike from gas station

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —

The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrested a man accused of stealing an e-bike.

Charlotte County deputies say they responded to a call at a Racetrack on El Jobean Road about a theft. CCSO added that when it arrived, they were told that a victim had reported his e-bike stolen.

The victim told deputies that he fell off his e-bike while travelling home from work. He said that he got a cut on his head, so he locked his bike at the gas station and took an Uber home. After returning to the gas station the next day, the victim says he discovered the e-bike missing.

CCSO says that surveillance footage shows Justin J. Noka, 40, approaching the e-bike, using a tool to cut the lock and riding away. They add that they located an e-bike matching the description of the one stolen from the victim, a few blocks from the gas station.

Deputies say they made contact with Noka at an empty lot containing a homeless encampment, 50 bicycles and at least two e-bikes. They say that this is where they found the victim's e-bike. The total value of the stolen property was approximately $2,200.

Deputies say Noka told them that a man approached him and asked him to retrieve the victim's e-bike from the gas station. They add that he told them that he used a friend's bolt cutters to cut the lock of the e-bike.

CCSO says that due to the number of other bikes in the lot, a further investigation was requested.

Noka was arrested and charged with grand theft of property more than $750 but less than $5,000.

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