Bicycle theft saw increase during July 12-18, while reported thefts from cars decreased slightly

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The number of reported thefts from motor vehicles dipped slightly during the week of July 12 to 18 while bike thefts increased, according to statistics released by the RCMP.

There were 26 thefts from cars reported during the week, three less than in the first week of July, when police recorded 29 such thefts.

According to police, eight of the thefts occurring between July 12 and 18 were reported from neighbourhoods on the North Shore.

Six thefts from motor vehicles happened while cars were parked downtown. Two thefts were reported from the Sagebrush area, along Pine Street and Douglas Street.

Four thefts occurred to the east of the city, in the Valleyview, Juniper and the Dallas area.

From July 12 to 18, there were 12 bicycle thefts reported, an increase of of 11 from the week before, according to the RCMP.

Two bikes were reported stolen from the North Shore, taken from Fortune Drive and Tranquille Road.

Five bike thefts happened downtown, with three of those thefts occurring while bikes were parked along Third Avenue between Battle Street and Landsdowne Street.

Four bikes were stolen from Sahali neighbourhoods.

In a city council meeting on Tuesday, RCMP Supt. Syd Lecky said police continue to use the bait bike program to catch bicycle thieves.

"Theft of bikes is a problem in our community, especially this time of year," Lecky said.

Lecky said during 2020, 68 bait bike activations resulted in several successful charges and arrests.