Rash of bike thefts in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – Police in Kamloops are reminding the public to protect their rides after a rash in bike thefts in the city.

Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jodi Shelkie says in a news release that between June 1 and July 9, the detachment responded to 51 bike theft files involving the theft of 64 bikes. The approximate combined value of the stolen bikes is $95,000.

Of the bikes stolen, 51 per cent were locked, 35 per cent were unlocked, and 14 per cent were unknown, Shelkie says. The bikes reported stolen range from children's bikes, ranging in price from $100 to $300, to high-end specialized biked ranging from $2,000 to $8,500.

The majority of bikes were taken from homes, Shelkie says, with 61 per cent stolen from a garage or backyard. Bikes left outside of businesses accounted for 22 per cent of thefts, and 14 per cent were removed from vehicles, the majority of which were parked at hotels.

Shelkie says in order to prevent your bike from being stolen, always bring your bike inside your home or locked garage at night, always lock your bike including the wheels and saddle, replace regular screws and bolts for locking skewers, lock your bike to a secure bike rack or pole, if travelling with your bike, ask to bring it to your hotel room, register your bike on the 529 Garage app, and always write down the serial number and keep a photo of your bike on file.

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