Vintage bicycle stolen 16 years ago among 17 found in Winnipeg storage locker

A vintage bike lost for 16 years after being stolen during a break-in was among 17 found by Winnipeg police during a recent investigation into bicycle thefts in the city.

The bike has now been reunited with its owner, a womannow in her 70s, because it was on the city's bicycle registry, police spokespersonConst.Dani McKinnon said Friday.

"It was stolen back in 2005 during a garage break-in at her house.She had hung on to the original serial number and when the bike registry came to fruitiona number of years after her bike was stolen she registered her bike and it was returned to her some 16 years later,"McKinnon said.

"I think this is a really unique story."

Police launched the investigation after numerous reportsof stolen bicycles alonga southern section of Pembina Highway between April 2020 and early November 2021.

The investigation, with tips from the public, led officers toa storage facility onHervo Street, near Chevrier Boulevard. They went into thelocker on Nov. 16 and found the bikes, many of which hadhigh-end retail value, McKinnon said.

Five were returned to the original owners because they were registered with the city. Anyone who thinks their bike may be among those recovered and can identify it is asked to call investigators at 204-986-2878.

A 51-year-old man was arrested Nov.23 in connection with the thefts.

Another of theregistered bikes belonged to a13-year-old boy. To get the bike in the first place, he struck a deal with his parents to work and pay half of the $1,000 cost, McKinnon said.

It wasn't long after he had made his share and bought the bike that it was stolen, whilelocked up on school property.

"So he was very upset. Thankfully, they had placed it on the registry and it happened to be one of the bikes that was recovered in this locker,"McKinnon said.

"So it was returned to him in good working order. [He] and his parents were quite happy."

Bicycles can be registered with the city online.Recovered bicycles that areunregistered and unclaimed end up goingto the annual police auction.