Detectives with the Tulare Regional Auto Theft Task Force arrested a suspected vehicle thief Friday and recovered two stolen vehicles after locating a stolen vehicle in the London area of Tulare County, authorities said.

Detectives found the stolen vehicle near Avenue 376 and Road 58 and followed it while requesting assistance from the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office for a traffic stop, according to the Visalia Police Department.

Before deputies could stop the vehicle, the driver began driving recklessly and lost control while attempting to pass through an intersection, authorities said. The vehicle was later found abandoned in an orchard on El Monte Way west of Road 40.

Law enforcement officers established a perimeter around the area and, with assistance from sheriff’s deputies, located the suspect, identified as Cody Bierman, hiding inside a barn. He was taken into custody without incident.

During the investigation, detectives recovered a second stolen vehicle, a motorcycle, that had been hidden on the same property, police said.

Authorities said Bierman was found with shaved keys, a tool commonly used in vehicle thefts.

Bierman was booked into the Tulare County Adult Pre-Trial Facility on suspicion of unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of vehicle theft tools, including shaved keys, and a repeat vehicle theft offender enhancement, according to police.

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