By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Pricey bike stolen from Nanaimo kids in broad daylight

Apr 4, 2017 | 10:19 AM

NANAIMO — Two local boys are “traumatized and upset” after a man stole their bike in broad daylight, according to Nanaimo RCMP.

Cst. Gary O’Brien said the theft happened Saturday, March 25 outside the Aquatic Centre.

Two kids, aged nine and 12, had rolled up with an expensive grey Devinci Jackson bike, which O’Brien said cost around $700.

When the younger brother was inside, a young man approached the older brother who was watching their bikes.

O’Brien said the situation took a turn for the worse after some small talk.

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“He said ‘It’s time to steal your bike,’” O’Brien said. “The kid started crying, (he was) so upset because he knew how much they’d worked to get those bikes. They’d saved their birthday money and Christmas money for these bikes.”

The situation became more upsetting. According to O’Brien, the man faked a punch at the kid’s head and then took off with the bike down Third St. Police responded to the call, but O’Brien said the alleged thief was gone.

The man is described as white, 5’6”, between 25 and 35-years-old with a thin build and short blonde hair. At the time he was wearing a black jacket, light coloured blue jeans and beige Timberland boots.

O’Brien said the whole altercation is “very troubling.”

If anyone has information about the bike theft, they’re urged to call Nanaimo RCMP or Crime Stoppers.

island-news@jpbg.ca

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