Victims share warning after brazen bike thefts caught on camera in East Vancouver

After a pair of similar brazen thefts in East Vancouver, one of the victims is speaking out.

Two East Vancouver residents are sharing a warning for neighbours after their bicycles were stolen in brazen early morning thefts, both of which were caught on camera.

Security video shows the first victim’s e-bike, worth about $2,000, being snatched from their porch near East 41st Avenue and Fraser Street. Sparks fly as a suspect saws the lock off the bike at around 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 29.

The owner—who asked to be identified only by their first name, Rocky—told CTV News they heard loud noises outside their door, but by the time they came to check it was too late. The thief had vanished, along with the bike.

On Saturday, Alisha Steinberger, who lives near 39th Avenue and Columbia Street, reported experiencing a similar theft. “It feels very invasive,” she said.

Steinberger described how the thief pushed open her side gate, forced her back garage door open, smashed a window of her car, and stole her dash cam.

She captured the suspect on video making a getaway on her bike.

“That was crazy to me, that something like that can happen,” Steinberger said.

The thefts did not end there; her security camera recorded a second theft an hour later. Steinberger noted that the intruders “did rummage around,” but only took a pair of basketball shoes.

Steinberger said it would cost $500 to repair her car window, and $900 to replace her stolen bike, but noted it also had sentimental value: “I bought it with my very first paycheque when I first started working.”

Days later, still dealing with the aftermath of the break-in, Steinberger told CTV News that she plans to enhance her security measures and remain vigilant. “Obviously, we’ve learned our lesson now,” she said.

The Vancouver Police Department said both residents filed police reports, and that the incidents are under investigation. Police said they are not aware of any uptick in bike or E-bike thefts.