Police in Calgary discover a stolen bike chop shop after a suspicious internet sale.
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Stolen Bike
Police charge two men and seize 11 stolen bikes in kidnapping and extortion operation. Photo courtesy of Calgary Police Service.
Suspicious online sales lead police to a high-end stolen bike depot and a crime shop.
Two men were arrested as part of an investigation that began earlier this month when members of the Online Stolen Goods (OSP) unit saw a bike for sale online that had been stolen from a downtown apartment complex in September.
"The bike was registered with Bike Index and was also reported as stolen on the program's website, making it easier for our officers to identify it," CPS said in a news release Thursday.
"The OSP team began an investigation and on Wednesday ... officers located the bicycle and returned it to its rightful owner."
Rochsarg Buquel, 27, of Calgary, is charged with possession of stolen property and trafficking in stolen property. His next court appearance is scheduled for February. 24.
The ongoing investigation led police to execute a search warrant at a home in the 100 block of Manora Hill NE on Jan. 23, where they found a suspicious bicycle repair shop.
"During the search, officers located and seized 11 high-end bicycles valued at approximately $70,000, as well as two replica firearms, ammunition and approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine," CPS said.
Juan Castillo Pasion, 64, of Calgary, is charged with trafficking in stolen property and possession of stolen property over $5,000. He also faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a prohibited weapon and two counts of possession of ammunition while prohibited.
Pasion's next court appearance is scheduled for January 30.
Police are hoping to reunite Calgarians with their stolen bikes, which can be seen on the CPS Facebook page. Rightful owners can contact police at recoveryproperty@calgarypolice.ca. Cyclists are also encouraged to register their bikes with Bike Index, a free service that facilitates the identification and return of stolen goods.
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