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By Greg Fry

Bike thieves targeted

Bait bike program leads to three arrests

May 10, 2019 | 3:03 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George RCMP is taking aim at bike thieves.

It has done so by launching a bait bike program. Cpl. Craig Douglass says the new program hit the streets yesterday (May 9) to quick success.

“Over the course of only two hours, the bike was stolen three times, resulting in three arrests. The longest the bike was deployed before being stolen was 25 minutes.”

He says 24-year-old Deven Oulette and 46-year-old Stacie Buttee have both been charged by the BC Prosecution Service with theft under $5000.

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A third female suspect was released on a promise to appear in court later this spring.

Douglass says specifics about the bait bike and where it was deployed will not be released.

“In most stolen bike cases, owners do not know the serial number of the bike or do not have it readily available, decreasing the chance of getting the bikes back to almost zero.

“Even if the bike is recovered, owners need to show that the bike is theirs. The best way to do this is to provide a serial number.”

He says a good way to do that is to register your bike with the 529 Garage App.