There might still be a few days left of winter, but mountain bike theft season in Whistler is already underway.
Whistler police first responded to a report of a break-and-enter in the 7200 block of Spruce Grove resulting in missing mountain bikes at around 8 a.m. on Monday, March 14. After arriving at the residence, RCMP learned two mountain bikes were taken from the home’s garage, including a 2020 Rocky Mountain Slayer and a 2019 red Norco Aurum.
Police said in a release that the suspect(s) had gained entry into the garage by stealing a garage door opener out of the residents’ vehicle.
The RCMP was then called to the scene of yet another mountain bike theft in the Spruce Grove neighbourhood the following day, on March 15. Police said two more mountain bikes were stolen from a storage unit between 11 p.m. on Monday and noon on Tuesday. The missing bikes are described as a size large 2018 black Trek Session, and a size medium 2020 black Trek Session.
HOME OWNER INTERRUPTION NOT ENOUGH TO DETER WHISTLER SCOOTER THIEF
While mountain bikes might be among the most sought-after pieces of sporting equipment for B.C. thieves, they weren’t the only wheels to go missing in Whistler this week.
Also on Tuesday, Whistler RCMP responded to a call regarding a scooter theft that reportedly occurred around 1:30 a.m. on Monday, March 15. The incident took place in the 1500 block of Spring Creek Drive. Though “the theft was interrupted by the home owner, unfortunately the suspect fled on foot with the scooter,” police stated in the release.
Police describe the suspect as Caucasian, weighing over 200 lbs. and standing approximately 175 centimetres (or 5’7) tall. The individual had a shaved head and was wearing baggy black pants, a black sweater and a baseball cap with a black medical mask and black gloves at the time.
In the release, Whistler RCMP Cpl. Nathan Miller reminded the public about the importance of keeping vehicles and any type of structure where sporting equipment is stored locked. “Additionally, sporting equipment, especially mountain bikes, need to be securely locked to something,” he said.
STOLEN TRUCK LOCATED WITH SMASHED WINDOW; SNOWBOARDS MISSING
Whistler RCMP was also informed of a third theft on March 15, this one regarding a missing pickup truck.
Upon responding to the incident, police learned that the black 2019 Ford F250 had been stolen from the 1400 block of Alta Lake Road sometime between Sunday, March 13 at 6 p.m. and the following Tuesday around 10 a.m. The truck was easily identifiable thanks to a large green Monster Energy logo decal located on the driver’s side door.
Police managed to locate the missing vehicle later on March 15, after the truck was reported as an abandoned vehicle on Daisy Lake Road. The pickup was found with its driver’s side window smashed, while two snowboards that had been left in the truck were missing. Whistler RCMP seized the vehicle and is currently examining it for forensic evidence.
The detachment asks any members of the public with information regarding this incident to call Whistler RCMP’s non-emergency line at 604 932-3044, or Crimestoppers.
