Quick success for Bait bike program

It didn’t take long for the Bait Bike program to find a “winner” in Kelowna.

RCMP say one of their bait bikes was stolen on the first day of the operation for the fourth straight year.

On March 30, Community Safety Unit officers deployed one of their bait bikes in the downtown core for the first time in 2023. A few hours later, the bike was stolen and started moving.

“Officers tracked the bike and within minutes arrested the individual responsible,” Cpl. Michael Gauthier stated.

The suspect is well known to police with an extensive criminal record. The person was was released from custody with a promise to appear in court at a later date.

“We have put a significant amount of work into upgrading our bait bike program over the past few years and we’re seeing the fruits of our labour on the very first day again” Sgt. Scott Powrie Community Safety Unit Operations NCO, said. “You won’t know which bikes are ours and you won’t know we’re coming for you until it’s too late.”

The Kelowna RCMP are reminding bike owners to document their bike including recording the serial number and taking photographs. Consider using an online registry such as Project 529 Garage and purchase a quality bike lock and consider using stationary bike locking system.