Hamilton police task force finds at least $40,000 in stolen high-end bikes
Officers also found a crossbow, 16 to 18 inches in length, and brass knuckles attached to an eight-inch blade
At least $40,000 in high-end mountain bikes, power tools and skiing equipment were found in an investigation by two Hamilton police task forces.
While one man is facing seven charges related to the stolen property, officers "strongly believe" others are involved in a larger scheme to sell the items on Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji.
Police haven't established the value of all the bike but say one of the stolen bikes is worth $11,000 and another is worth $8,500.
Police say the force's BEAR unit began probing several commercial and residential break and enter incidents involving high-end bikes in October. Its Division 20 HEAT unit also began separate investigations into stolen property.
When both forces realized their cases were connected, they started sleuthing together.
Constable Jerome Stewart with <a href="https://twitter.com/HamiltonPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HamiltonPolice</a> said the 26 bikes, stolen from Ancaster, Aldershot and Dundas, were found in a two month investigation with the Division 20 Heat unit and Bear Unit.<br><br>It’s also working with <a href="https://twitter.com/HaltonPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HaltonPolice</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hamilton?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Hamilton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HamOnt?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HamOnt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/CBCHamilton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CBCHamilton</a> <a href="https://t.co/zUC7j5Wdco">pic.twitter.com/zUC7j5Wdco</a>
—@bobbyhristovaOn Dec. 19, officers say they requested and carried out a search warrant at an east end property in Hamilton. Police did not disclose the location or type of property.
Officers found the 26 mountain bikes, along with tires, bike frames, power tools and skiing equipment — all worth at least $40,000.
"There's no question they were targeting high-end bicycles," Hamilton Police Const. Jerome Stewart told CBC.
Police also found a crossbow, 16 to 18 inches in length, and brass knuckles attached to an eight-inch blade.
Investigators say the suspect and others involved stole from Ancaster, Dundas and Aldershot, prompting Halton Police to join the hunt.
Halton Police also investigating
Halton Police claimed what bikes it thinks came from its region and both police units have identified at least three victims.
"This investigation is not over ... there's definitely anticipated charges to be released," Stewart said.
Police hope people come forward to claim the items and help them make more arrests.
"We're hoping to wrap up this investigation in two weeks," Stewart said. "We can't store all this stuff."
If it drags on, officers will make room for the bikes, but eventually it will have to "make considerations" about what to do with the remaining items.
"A lot of people don't report bike thefts, but this proves no theft is too small," Stewart said.
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