Vancouver officers recover almost 30 allegedly stolen bicycles from East Vancouver storage locker

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      Vancouver police have busted a bicycle trafficking operation in East Vancouver and recovered over two dozens bikes that were allegedly stolen.

      Vancouver Police Department (VPD) spokesperson Sgt. Steve Addison stated today (July 23) that several weeks ago, police learned that stolen bikes were “were allegedly being trafficked out of a self-storage facility in East Vancouver”.

      In response, frontline patrol officers led a “lengthy and complex investigation”.

      When officers used several search warrants at storage lockers on East Pender Street on July 14, they seized 27 bicycles worth a total value of about $45,000. Among the recovered bicycles were high-end road bikes, e-bikes, and mountain bikes.

      The stolen property investigation remains ongoing, and charges could be recommended to Crown counsel.

      The bikes that had been previously reported stolen will be returned to their owners, but VPD staff will have to work to identify the owners of bikes that hadn’t been formally reported stolen.  

      “Even without a serial number, VPD staff can often track down rightful owners by using unique descriptors and features on a bike, so we encourage anyone who has not yet reported their stolen bike to file a police report,” Addison explained. “However, the best way to safeguard against bike theft is always to use a durable lock, record your serial number, and register your bike with Project 529.”

      Bike thefts can be reported online or by calling VPD non-emergency line at 604-717-3321.

      One of the biggest recoveries of stolen bicycles took place in September 2019 when VPD officers located 148 stolen bicycles, electric bikes, and scooters in a storage locker in the Downtown Eastside.

      You can follow Craig Takeuchi on Twitter at @cinecraig or on Facebook.

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