"It’s a regular occurrence… We’re getting at least one report a week during the summer, but it’s usually more," said Constable Devon Jones of the Whistler RCMP.
Thieves are targeting high-end downhill mountain bikes that have been left unlocked and unattended by their owners for short periods of time, such as going for a coffee or going into a bike shop to get a part. That has led the RCMP to believe that the thieves are following cyclists, waiting for them to leave their bikes unattended.
The value of stolen bikes ranges from approximately $2,000 to $8,000, but according to Jones, most thefts tend to be in the $5,000 range. "The thieves know what they’re looking for," he said.
The police are looking for at least two suspects, both male.
The first is Caucasian, possibly French-Canadian. He is in his late 20s or early 30s and is tall with a slim build, dark hair, thin moustache and "chin strap" beard.
The other suspect is also Caucasian, about six-feet-tall and 165 pounds. He is tanned with a clean-shaven face.
The RCMP remind everyone not to leave bikes unlocked or unattended, even for a moment. If anyone has any information regarding the thefts, contact the Whistler RCMP office at 604-932-3044.
