Bicycles are among the many things being stolen with more frequency these days. This is especially true in Los Angeles, California.

In a place known for sophisticated jewelry heists, fine-art thieves and "the Bling Ring," it was only a matter of time before Southern California produced a crew who ripped off high-end bicycles. 

According to the LA Times, police have located a group of thieves who for more than two years snatched nearly 200 expensive bikes with an estimated total value of $250,000.

Craigslist and Facebook

Detectives said the thieves scanned Craigslist and Facebook to identify targets, making away with designer racing bikes worth $2,000 to $15,000 each.

They allegedly preyed on the growing online community of Los Angeles bike enthusiasts who share photos about rides and their latest bike acquisitions on various websites and look for parts on Craigslist.

Three men accused at the center of the bike-stealing ring have been arrested. Two brothers from Los Angeles, Julian Herrera, 23, and Jamie Herrera, 21, and a Colton man identified as 34-year-old Alberto Mejia face dozens of counts of burglary and conspiracy after authorities reported finding purloined bikes and bike parts at various locations including one of the suspect's homes.

This wasn’t the first time these three were arrested for bike theft. They had been arrested in 2010 and spent three weeks in jail. When they were released after a few weeks in jail, the high-end bike thefts resumed over a wider territory with help from the Internet, detectives say.

Social media can be a good, but also dangerous– just like many other areas of life. Be careful in revealing any personal information. You never know who is looking. Hopefully these three will be mandated to take an Los Angeles theft class and seek counseling for their anti-social thieving behavior.