By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

Bike stolen from Nanaimo teen in brazen and ‘senseless’ theft

Aug 10, 2017 | 12:42 PM

NANAIMO — In a traumatic encounter, a local teen was threatened with a knife and had his bike stolen, only to have it returned moments later.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said the theft happened at roughly 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6 while the teen and his friend were walking in an alleyway near Farquhar St. and Nicol St.

“A punk came up to them, pushed him off the bike, pulled a knife and actually stole the kid’s bike,” O’Brien said.

Only a few moments passed before the 25-year-old accused thief was caught by police. O’Brien said the two young victims gave excellent descriptions of the suspect, which helped police catch him four blocks away, still with the bike.

“It’s absolutely over the top,” O’Brien said about the incident. “Everyone has had a bike at 13, it gives you your independence. With the violence involved, it was absolutely senseless.”

time served

Nanaimo man caught with over 30g of illicit drugs avoids additional jail time

10m ago

big return

Senior women's box lacrosse returns to Nanaimo after 10+ year absence

36m ago

environmental impacts

Accidental pump activation causes minor oil slick in Nanaimo marina

2h ago

The accused, who O’Brien said is known to police, appeared in court on Monday, Aug. 7 and was released on recognizance.

O’Brien said the decision to release him until his next court appearance on Aug. 22 was a choice made by the court system.

island-news@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nanaimonewsnow