Nanaimo RCMP used its Bait Bike program to charge two men with theft under $5,000, both are now before the courts.
Joshua Susee-Holmes, 46, and Leslie Winterburn, 45, were caught by officers two days apart, minutes after stealing a bait bike, according to Const. Gary O’Brien.
Winterburn was arrested on Jan. 15 after stealing a bait bike at an undisclosed location. He was in possession of several grams of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to O’Brien. Winterburn faces two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
A bait bike was deployed on Jan. 13 in downtown Nanaimo. O’Brien said not long after, officers saw it had been stolen and arrested Susee-Holmes less than 100 yards aways from where the bike was left. He was also found to be in possession of a stolen cheque and debit card, police said.
“Many of the bait bikes that are stolen are taken by individuals who are entrenched in the drug culture and property crime related thefts,” O’Brien said. “To have these persons held accountable for their crimes is a huge win for the citizens of Nanaimo. Additionally, it definitely makes criminals think twice before stealing another bike.”
