Police advise bicyclists to efficiently secure bikes following pair of thefts

Police in Prince George has received 28 reports of stolen bicycles so far this year.

This comes as the RCMP received two reports on Tuesday of stolen vehicles, which has led police to stress the importance of properly securing your bicycle regardless of where you store it, as some reports have involved bikes being stolen from living rooms and sheds.

The first incident on Tuesday was with regards to a theft in progress at a convenience store near the corner of 15th Avenue and Central Street in Prince George. The bike was left unlocked at the time of the theft.

A short time following the occurrence, the bike was located by the owner. The suspect fled the area and was not located.

“This shows how quickly a bike thief can disappear from the scene of a crime, even when the crime is reported right away,” said Prince George RCMP Cpl. Craig Douglass. “Within a few short minutes, the thief and the bike can be halfway across town. The message here is that owners need to take steps to prevent their bikes from being stolen, even at a public place during daylight hours.”

Douglass told MyPGNow that a tough, durable bike lock should be invested in, particularly one that’s constructed using high-quality composite steel. He adds that your typical chain lock is not a reliable choice for securing your bike because it can easily be cut by potential thieves.

“Put some money into the lock. If you’re putting money into the bike, put money into the lock as well to make sure you’re getting something that will be difficult to break through,” said Douglass.

The second report on Tuesday came at approximately 1:00 p.m.

Police received another report of a theft in progress in the 300 block of Victoria Street in downtown Prince George. A member of the public witnessed a man cutting a cable lock, then quickly leaving the scene riding the stolen bike.

Within a few short minutes, police observed a male matching the description of the suspect approaching the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Dominion Street on a bike. A pair of officers cornered the suspect and placed him into custody without further incident.

The 54-year-old male suspect was released on a Promise to Appear for court on May 29.

Police state he used an old pair of pliers to cut the lock in a news release regarding the pair of incidents.