The Nanaimo RCMP Bike Bait program helped nab two men just two days apart. (File)

By Kyle Ireland

bike trick

‘It’s huge and it increases every year:’ Nanaimo Bike Bait program puts the brakes on thieves

Jan 31, 2021 | 11:44 AM

NANAIMO — The local RCMP’s Bait Bike program recently helped lure two would-be thieves over the span of just a couple of days.

In both cases, on Wednesday Jan. 13 and Thursday, Jan. 15, members of the Street Crime Unit were able to arrest the thieves just minutes after they attempted to take off with the bikes.

Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW, far too often the people who steal bikes are entrenched in other criminal activity either drugs or property crimes.

“One of the men had a small amount of drugs which was enough to pursue charges of Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking and the other had what appeared to be a stolen cheque and debit card.”

Both 46-year-old Joshua Susee-Holmes and 45-year-old Leslie Winterburn of Nanaimo were charged with theft under $5,000.

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Bikes are a popular target for thieves across the city, which is a major concern for police.

“It’s huge and it increases every year and we wish we could put bait bikes out everyday but it does take some time.”

O’Brien declined to comment on the specific details of how the Bait Bike program works but said it’s been very successful.

“The public should know the bait bikes are out there, all shapes and sizes it doesnt matter the value or not these bikes are being stolen by criminals.”

Mounties also want to remind the public to have your bikes locked up at all times when not in use.

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