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Bike thefts drop by 55 per cent in July

Police briefs: Surrey man arrested after violent incident; police warn of potential fraud
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File photo.

It's probably not safe to throw away your locks, but declining numbers of bike thefts in Whistler this summer are an encouraging sign for local two-wheeled warriors.

Bike thefts in Whistler in July 2016 were reduced by more than half compared to 2015, according to Whistler RCMP.

"In July 2015 we had 41 bikes stolen with a value of $89,176.53 and in July 2016 we had 18 bikes stolen with a value of $32,806.93," said Inspector Neil Cross, in an email.

"This is a 55 per cent reduction in the number of bikes stolen compared to last July."

The drop in stolen bikes this year can be attributed to education and enforcement initiated by local police officers, Cross noted.

That being said, bike theft is still a problem in Whistler, as evidenced by four recent reports of theft to police.

On July 25, a blue Trek EX 7 men's 10-speed mountain bike with black accents and scratches on the front, right handle brake was reported stolen from a balcony in the 4300 block of Northlands Blvd; on July 28, another bike — a red, grey, cream camouflage Kona men's mountain bike, X-country, 15 speed with dual suspension — was stolen from an underground storage locker in the same area.

On July 30, the 4300 block of Northlands Blvd was again victimized, when a bike was stolen from a locked-up locker 15 minutes after its owner left it. The bike is a men's Santa Cruz Nomad mountain bike, 27 speed, silver with full suspension.

Another bike — also locked up in a storage locker — was reported stolen from the 7100 block of Nancy Greene Dr. on July 30.

The bike is a 2009 Devinci Hectik all-mountain 18 speed, grey with white and red text.

Anyone with information regarding any of the thefts is asked to contact the Whistler RCMP or Crimestoppers.

SURREY MAN ARRESTED AFTER VIOLENT INCIDENT

Police were called to the 4000 block of Whistler Way near the village at about 2:30 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 1 for a report of a man who had been stabbed.

A police investigation found that a "disagreement" between two groups led to one man being slashed in the arm with a knife, requiring stitches.

A 24-year-old Surrey man was arrested on the scene and transported to Whistler RCMP cells. He was later released and will appear in court at a later date.

POLICE WARN OF POTENTIAL FRAUDSTERS

Most people with access to the Internet are probably already aware, but it's worth a reminder — you never know what you're going to get on Craigslist.

On July 30, Whistler RCMP received a report of a possible fraud.

The complainant said he had applied for a bartending job in Whistler through a Craigslist ad, but didn't get the position. He was then asked for a favour — could he deposit a cheque for $3,250 into his personal account, and then transfer $2,250 to an "art dealer?"

The complainant was told he could keep $1,000 for his trouble.

Finding the proposition suspicious, the complainant contacted the Whistler RCMP, who directed him to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

The Whistler RCMP cautioned the public not to respond to these types of requests.

VANCOUVER WOMAN RESCUED AFTER FALLING INTO NAIRN FALLS

A 20-year-old Vancouver woman escaped injury after falling into Nairn Falls last week.

At about 3 p.m. on July 29, Pemberton RCMP were called to Nairn Falls to help with a woman who had fallen 4.5 metres from a rock face into the falls.

The woman was "exploring a rock point that looked over the first set of falls when she slipped and fell," the RCMP said in a release.

She was able to swim to the side of the falls and climb onto a rock ledge, but was unable to climb to safety. Pemberton and Whistler Search and Rescue, the Pemberton Fire Department, the BC Ambulance Service and Pemberton RCMP worked together and were able to rope down the side of the falls and pull the woman to safety.