Thief allegedly steals bait bike from Kelowna RCMP detachment parking lot
A well known Kelowna bike thief allegedly entered a secured RCMP parking lot yesterday afternoon and unsurprisingly, was caught red-handed when he tried to take off with a bike in hand.
A member of the Street Enforcement Unit was inside the Kelowna RCMP Detachment Dec. 5 on Richter Street, looking down from the second floor at the parking lot when he observed a hooded man trying to gain entry into the secure fenced lot.
The man attempted to open the locked pedestrian gate but then observed a vehicle leaving the lot through the sensor monitored gate and slipped into the restricted area, Const. Lesley Smith said in a press release.
Once inside the parking lot, the man went to the bike compound where one of the detachment’s bait bikes were located.
The suspect reportedly grabbed the bike and attempted to ride it out of the secure lot but was immediately apprehended by members of the Street Enforcement Unit.
Brian Richard Harbison, 38, was held in police custody overnight and brought before a Judge this morning where he was charged with the following:
- Break and Enter
- Theft of Bike Under $5000
- Possession of Break and Enter Tools
- Breach of Recognizance
- Breach of an Undertaking
“This brazen break-in and theft is not a common occurrence here at the Kelowna Detachment and the irony that Mr. Haribson would take a Bait bike from the RCMP compound has won him a night in jail and more criminal charges," Smith said in a press release.
“This incident is also a clear indication of how quickly and easily these criminals can gain entry into a locked area and steal any item of opportunity.”
Police are reminding the public to stay alert and keep a watchful eye on any suspicious persons loitering around your building, parkade or other restricted areas.
If you witness anyone acting suspicious and they are not associated with that location, please call the RCMP immediately as they might be waiting for an opportunity to commit a crime.
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