Police busted what was believed to be a bike "chop shop" in East Van this week, they have 14 bikes and more than $25,000 to show for it.
“Police were alerted of possible stolen bikes listed on a Craigslist advertisement after a potential buyer researched the bikes being sold,” explained Cst. Tania Visintin of Vancouver Police Department.
Before the victim met with the seller of a bike off of Craigslist, he looked up the bike on a community-based bicycle recovery website, Project 529.
The prospective buyer was able to see the bike he wanted to purchase was listed as stolen and called police to inform them.
From there, a search warrant was executed by officers on Oct. 28 at a home near Rupert Street and Broadway Avenue.
One man arrested, charges recommended
The following items were seized from the home:
- 13 suspected stolen bicycles
- One confirmed stolen bike and stolen seat
- $28,057 in Canadian currency
- $11 in U.S. currency
- $1,290,000 in Vietnamese currency
A 48-year-old Vancouver man was arrested on-site in connection with the theft.
He’s currently been recommended to Crown counsel on two counts of possession of proceeds for property obtained by crime, Visintin said.
Police are encouraging all Vancouver bike owners to register their bikes on the website, which is free of charge and can be done on the website.
