Stolen bike found in rare happy-ending theft, Guelph Police say
Police say detailed description of bicycle helped in recovery
It's a rare occurrence but Guelph Police have been able to reunite a stolen bike with its owner. Officers recovered the stolen bike thanks to a detailed description of the bicycle provided by its owners.
Investigators say the bike was first reported stolen on July 22 in downtown Guelph and even though it was gone, the owners were smart enough to write down the the bike's serial number, which they handed over to police along with a detailed description of the missing bike.
Two weeks later police were called after a man was spotted riding a bike that matched the description.
Once officers caught up to him, they were able to confirm that the bike he was riding was in fact stolen.
A 21-year-old man from Guelph was arrested and charged with possession of stolen property under $5000, as well as possession of a controlled substance. He will appear in court September 29.
Police said it is a good reminder to bicycle owners to keep specific records of their bikes, and when reporting them stolen to include the make, model, colour and serial number. Photos help, as do details that make the bike distinctive, such as:
- Brake and gear makes.
- Seat type.
- Handle bar type.
The Guelph Police Service reports over 200 bicycles have been stolen since January this year.