By James Wood and Leah Murray

Three arrested in bike chop shop bust

Aug 25, 2017 | 1:19 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- A bicycle chop shop in the Gas City has been shut down by police.

The shop was located in a residence in the North Flats, close to the Medalta museum site. Officers descended on the home, located at 324 Pottery Street, around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.

The police came with a search warrant for the property, and took one man and two women into custody after gaining entry to the house and yard. While the two women were arrested on unrelated matters, the man was linked to the chop shop, according to police.

Once the location was cleared by police, officers were present at the home while stolen property was seized and taken downtown.

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Sergeant Stacy Kesler, who works in the police intelligence unit, indicated the residence had been identified as a possible chop shop around the beginning of August, with the investigation into the home culminating in Thursday’s raid. The home was also known to police, linked to theft investigations and community standard issues.

A total of 15 whole bikes were recovered from the property in various conditions, along with many bicycle parts, piles of which ended up on the front lawn of the home while waiting to be removed.

The value of the seized property was placed at around $3,000.

Kesler also said officers described what they found as a “clearly identifiable chop shop”, and stated that people had been observed biking to the home in a hurry, and leaving on foot.

“There were areas where they were grinding serial numbers off the bikes, and an area for spray painting the new bikes as well, and then putting them back together, re-assembling them,” said Kesler.

The man arrested has been charged with possession of stolen property, as well as trafficking in stolen property. His identity could not be released, as he is waiting for a bail hearing.

As for how much of an impact this will have on bicycle theft in Medicine Hat, Kesler was optimistic.

“We understand that there was a bit of a network that was used, we’re aware of other chop shops operating in the community, and what I can say is you’ll be next,” said Kesler.

“We are actively working on those files as well.”

Reached by CHAT News, Michael James Pokorney, the landlord of the raided home, said he had been unaware of any issues at the property until recently, after being contacted by a member of the community search for a stolen bicycle.

Pokorney said the man arrested by police had moved into the residence in January, after the previous tenant had damaged the home.

“I thought I had a good tenant, in spite of his past that I had been told about,” said Pokorney.

“I saw no indications of anything wrong. I sat down with him, and visited a number of times, for the first couple of months when he was there.”

Since being informed of the problems, and the subsequent police raid, Pokorney indicated he’s been under a lot of stress.

“When the cat is away, the mice will play,” said Pokorney.

“That’s partially why this happened. I wasn’t here to supervise, or give the impression of supervision.”

In the aftermath of the raid and closing-down of the chop shop, Pokorney said he plans to move back into the home along Pottery Street, after evicting the current tenants.

“I will be back in Medicine Hat and I will be moving back into my home again,” said Pokorney.

“Hopefully, what’s left of it will be habitable.”

Pokorney also recommended the purchase of bike locks.

“It’s not the 70’s anymore, where you can go and leave your stuff wherever you want,” said Pokorney.

“If the wind doesn’t get it and take it to Saskatchewan, a thief will get it and take it some where’s else.”

Kesler said the thefts of bicycles in the city impacted residents in different ways.

“People might even inquire why we waste time on bike theft, but some of our victims, that’s their only transport to and from work,” said Kesler.

“Between May and August, we’ve had 66 bike thefts, so it became an emerging issue we had to address.”

He recommended cyclists in the city keep track of their bicycle serial number, in case of theft.

“A lock only keeps an honest person honest, and in this case, some of the thieves were used to carrying bolt cutters with them,” said Kesler.

“One thing that would really help us re-connect people with their property is when people do buy a bike, they can make a note of what that serial number is, immediately.”

Officers will be doing more cross-examination of the seized bikes and parts in the coming weeks, and Kesler indicated police will be looking to re-connect owners with their stolen property. The investigation into bike theft will also be continuing.

“We’re aware that there is a network out there,” said Kesler.

“We’ll be coming for you.”