Halifax police recover another large haul of stolen bikes

BMX rider Jacob Manning hasn’t been out on the Halifax on skatepark or dirt track for a ride since his custom black BMX trick bike was stolen last January from a parking garage.

Manning was stunned to find it wasn’t there.

"I had all the thoughts like, ‘Did I leave it in my buddy’s truck or at his place, like where the heck is it?’” said Manning. “Eventually, I came to the realization that it was gone."

Manning filed a report with police but as time wore on he thought the bike was good for good and he began building a replacement.

"It was kind of like my dream bike and so it sucked. It was tough. It was, like, a real blow to just have something taken away from you like that,” he said.

On Monday, Halifax Regional Police issued a list of nearly 20 bicycles they had recovered, one of which was Manning’s BMX. It was a little weathered and rusty, but salvageable.

"I’ll probably put a new chain on it,” said Manning. “There’s a little surface rust but some WD-40 and some sandpaper and I think it will be fine."

Last June Halifax police recovered 40 bikes and parts at a Barrington Street tent encampment.

"Through our investigations, sometimes our officers do recover bicycles, scooters, e-bikes and parts,” said Cst. Martin Crommwell, public information officer with Halifax Regional Police. “And when that happens, we do our best to reunite those bikes with their owners."

Halifax police couldn't confirm if any arrests were made as part of these two bicycle recovery operations but do point to their investigative work in helping them retrieve the bikes.

Police encourage anyone who may have had a bicycle stolen to report it as soon as possible to help with their police work, said Crommwell.

Police wouldn't say if bike thefts were on the rise in Halifax but those in the cycling community believe that's the case.

"In the past it's almost exclusively been a crime of opportunity,” said Derik Sauve, manager at Long Alley Bicycles, a bike store and repair shop on Quinpool Road. “But I think it's people targeting bikes and stealing a lot more of them.

"Low-quality locks are just so easy to cut and it only takes a few seconds.”

Manning is eager to get back on his BMX and was thankful for police in recovering his bike.

“I just can't believe that a year later I have it,” he said.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.