Canmore RCMP have laid charges following the theft of dozens of bicycles. RCMP were called out to the industrial area on Railway Avenue in Canmore on October 4, 2019 after the report of a suspicious U-Haul truck.

Mounties were already aware that a U-Haul truck had been linked to a number of bicycle thefts in the region. The vehicle was followed into Calgary and with assistance from the Calgary Police Service a traffic stop was conducted and 12 bicycles were found in the back of the truck. Also seized from the truck included power tools, two miniature motorcycles, gift cards and suspicious items including bolt-cutters, flashlights and balaclavas. It was discovered that the truck was also stolen.

A storage unit in Calgary was then raided where 20 more bicycles were recovered. All of which are believed to have been stolen from the Canmore area. The stolen property is estimated to be valued at over $100,000.

Twenty-four year old John Gil Cortez is facing ten charges including Theft over $5,000, Possession of Property obtained by crime over $5,000 and Possession of a stolen motor vehicle. Cortez is set to appear in court on October 16, 2019.

RCMP are reminding cyclists to record serial numbers and to have photographs of their items in the event that their property is stolen. Officers are working towards returing the bicycles to their owners.