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Serial bike thieves plead guilty in Whistler thefts

RCMP News: assault, sudden death and a warning to lock up skis and boards
n-rcmp_bait_bikes_leclair_by_cathryn
BAIT BIKES:Whistler RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair with the seven bikes recovered earlier Friday, Aug. 16. A GPS-chipped bait bike led West Vancouver officers to make the arrests on the Sea to Sky Highway. Photo by Cathryn Atkinson

Two men known to police as serial thieves that were caught in August through Whistler RCMP's bait bike program pled guilty to charges in Vancouver court Monday, Jan. 20, police said.

RCMP launched the program in the summer and didn't have to wait long to nab a pair of thieves hauling a truckload of bicycles out of the resort during the Crankworx mountain bike festival.

Police were able to track the 45-year-old Vancouver man and 47-year-old Surrey man at the time, as one of the seven high-end bikes stolen had GPS tracking on it, leading the load right into officers' hands.

One male, who had been in custody since the time of his arrest was released on time served, while the other awaits sentencing in the coming days, said RCMP Sgt. Rob Knapton.

Drunken man angry over missing bus stop allegedly assaults passenger

Police received a report of an assault on a Whistler Transit bus last Tuesday, Jan. 14 when an intoxicated male, "upset that he missed his bus stop attempted to assault somebody on the bus," Knapton said.

The alleged victim chose not to press charges, while the suspect was arrested and detained until sober.

He was issued two tickets for public intoxication and being a public nuisance.

Lock up your skis and snowboards, RCMP urges

A string of recent ski and snowboard thefts has got Whistler RCMP urging people to take care of their valuables.

Between Jan. 14 and 21, Whistler RCMP received three reports of stolen skis and four reports of stolen snowboards, many of which occurred while owners left their gear outside and unlocked, police said.

"Don't drink and leave your snowboard or skis out without locking them up," Knapton urged.

Sudden death at Whistler hotel

Police were called to a hotel on Sundial Crescent Saturday afternoon, Jan. 18 after a report of a sudden death.

A 53-year-old Australian man was found dead in his room. Police did not know the cause of death but said that no foul play is suspected at this time.

Football feud leads to feisty fracas

A Seattle Seahawks fan's jubilation was cut short Sunday, Jan. 19 after his team punched a ticket to the Super Bowl when a rival San Francisco 49ers supporter allegedly knocked him unconscious.

Police were called to the Village Stroll where they found a man in Seahawks green lying unconscious before he was taken to the Whistler Health Care Clinic for medical attention.

An investigation revealed the fight was consensual, Knapton said.

Mother punches son; no charges filed

A 19-year-old male called police Sunday to say that his mother had punched him at a residence on Blueberry Drive.

Police attended and found that the incident "was not quite as bad as it was made out to seem in the initial report," Knapton said. The parties, who had been drinking, were separated until sober.

No charges were filed.