The Winnipeg Police Service made two arrests after a pair of cyclists had their bikes stolen last month while they were on a cross-Canada journey to raise awareness for men’s mental health. According to police, the theft took place on the morning of July 24 when two bicycles – valued at $15,000 – were stolen from the carrier of a car parked in the 400 block of Portage Avenue in Winnipeg. The incident was reported to police, and the property crime unit took over the investigation. The incident continued on the evening of Aug. 7, when officers saw a man riding one of the stolen bikes in the 1800 block of Bannatyne Avenue. The 60-year-old man who was riding the bike was arrested and faces a charge of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000. The bicycle was seized and returned to its owner. Winnipeg police continued to investigate and determined that the bikes had been traded to the 60-year-old man and another unidentified male. Officers also identified the theft suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. Police arrested the suspect on Aug. 23 at the intersection of Notre Dame and Balmoral Street and seized a small amount of methamphetamine in the process. The 42-year-old man has been charged with two counts of theft over $5,000, trafficking property obtained by crime over $5,000, possession of a scheduled substance – fentanyl, and failure to comply with probation. The suspect is in custody and the charges against him have not been proven in court. Police note that the second stolen bike has yet to be recovered.
