The bikes were then returned to Phillips, because police in Craig had not yet learned about any stolen bikes in Steamboat.Ī Craig police officer who saw the surveillance photos that were released from the bike theft in Steamboat recognized Billings and Phillips and believed they were the thieves.
Phillips later provided Craig police a receipt for the bikes that claimed they were purchased from a thrift store in California, according to the arrest affidavit. The officer thought it was suspicious the bikes had been painted to cover up the model names and serial numbers. Police impounded the bikes because the couple could not provide proof they owned them. Investigators in Steamboat, who had put out surveillance photos of the thieves to the public this week, called the Craig Police Department and learned officers there had contacted the couple the day before during a traffic stop.Ĭraig police sergeant Tony Fandel said Billings was arrested during that traffic stop on suspicion of illegal drug possession, and the vehicle he and Phillips were driving was impounded, along with a pair of spray-painted bikes in the back.
The tipster described Billings, 37, and Phillips, 34, as a married couple.
