Spike of bike thefts in Penticton

PENTICTON – Bike thefts appear to be the crime of the week in the Peach City last week.

Police responded to a number of calls reporting bike thefts last week, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says, including four of the same model on one day.

On Tuesday, May 17, a 2010 Kona Blast mountain bike disappeared from a Main Street bike rack where it had been locked up while the owner was inside a restaurant.

Three black Kona Blast mountain bikes were also taken from the Penticton hostel garage.

One was recovered later that night after a man riding one of the stolen bikes gave a police officer the finger as he cycled by. The officer discovered the intoxicated rider was on one of the stolen bikes and arrested him for possession of stolen property. The man was released with a future court date after he sobered up.

Overnight Wednesday, May 18, theft of a black Norco Fluid mountain bike was reported from a Maple Street residence. Police were provided with the serial number.

The same day a silver-blue Trek Fuel mountain bike was reported stolen from a residence on the 1700-block of Main Street. The bike’s serial number was provided once again.

A white Cannondale hybrid bicycle was reported stolen from a Penticton Avenue residence on Thursday, May 19. The same day police arrested a man in connection with the theft of two stolen bikes, which were recovered by police.

Wrigglesworth reminds bicycle owners to ensure they have copied or photographed the serial numbers on their bicycles. Police do recover a number of bicycles reported stolen, and having the serial number helps with returning the bike to its rightful owner.

On most bikes, the serial number is located on the bottom of the pedal shaft housing.

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