Online crime report leads to electric bike recovery

Coquitlam

2024-11-12 11:30 PST

File # 2024-800330

Coquitlam RCMP are reminding the public that they can report minor non-emergency crimes online.

On October 8, 2024 Coquitlam RCMP received an online crime report of a stolen electric bicycle. The theft occurred sometime between September 22, 2024 and October 3, 2024 from an underground parking lot near Glen Drive and Johnson Street in Coquitlam.

Once the complainant reported the incident online, a Police officer followed up with them to obtain additional details and a photograph of the electric bicycle.

Blue electric bicycle parked along a roadway with trees and bushes in the background

View a larger image - Blue electric bicycle parked along a roadway with trees and bushes in the background

As part of the investigative process, the lead investigator distributes photographs of lost or stolen property to detachment officers to be on the look out for.

The electric bicycle was pretty unique with it’s blue colour and the black battery-pack in the middle, said Coquitlam RCMP’s Frontline officer, Constable Scott Shaw.

While on routine patrol in Coquitlam, Constable Shaw saw the abandoned blue electric bicycle which was missing its battery.

Once I spoke with the owner, he was ecstatic that we located his bike, said Constable Shaw. He told me that he had the battery and would bring it with him when he retrieved his bike.

Coquitlam RCMP returned the electric bicycle to its owner, Ahmad Kharazmi, on October 17, 2024.

I’m extremely happy to have my electric bicycle returned, said Ahmad Kharazmi. When I reported this theft online, I wasn’t sure if I would get my bike back. This is a great outcome!

View a larger image - Constable Shaw and Ahmad standing behind the returned blue electric bicycle with marked RCMP vehicle’s in the background

Coquitlam RCMP accepts crime reporting online, on the phone or in person.

People are often reluctant to report minor crimes as they don’t want to bother the police or they think the report isn’t important, said Media Relations Officer, Corporal Alexa Hodgins. But, the public don’t often realize that the information gained from those smaller reports can help identify crime trends and connections to more serious incidents. Or, in this case, we can return the stolen property to it’s rightful owner.

To report a crime online, certain criteria must be met.