Serial number helps return bike stolen years ago

Kamloops City

2023-11-09 14:29 PST

File # 2018-10918

It was April 2018 when a Kamloops woman called police to report her daughter’s bike had been stolen; late last month, that report paid off.

The bike, a black and purple Giant, was stolen from a shed on Ord Road. Despite attempts to locate it, the bicycle quickly joined a long list of those missing in the Kamloops area -- until Oct. 23, 2023.

The serial number provided by the victim was the key in being able to identify the bike as stolen and return it to its rightful owner, said Corporal Crystal Evelyn, Kamloops RCMP spokesperson.

On Oct. 23, 2023, a frontline officer was attending an unrelated call for service, when he observed the bike abandoned at a motel on the 1800-block of the East Trans Canada Highway. When he ran the serial number through the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database, it came back as stolen.

During the course of our duties, police officers regularly come across bikes -- some that are really expensive -- that are abandoned or suspected to be stolen, said Constable Jeff Campbell, the frontline officer who located the bike. When bike theft victims provide us with a serial number, it makes identifying stolen property possible, so we can return items to their rightful owners and deal with those found in possession of them accordingly.

Residents are encouraged to continue to take down the serial numbers and other identifying markers on their bikes, and to store them in a place easily accessible.

When purchasing second-hand bikes, buyers are also encouraged to first run the serial number through CPIC at https://www.cpic-cipc.ca/index-eng.htm, and contact police if it comes back as stolen.

More information on Crime Prevention Programs, including the 529 Garage anti-bike theft application, can be found online at www.kamloops.ca/public-safety/crime-prevention/crime-prevention-programs/529-garage.

Released by

Cpl. Crystal Evelyn

Email: crystal.evelyn@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: kamloops.rcmp.ca

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