After arresting a man wanted for failing to attend court, Hamilton police say they discovered that the bicycle he was trying to escape on was stolen four years ago.

On Sept. 4, just before 12:30 p.m. a Hamilton police officer saw a man repairing a bicycle at the intersection of Victoria Avenue South and Main Street E. in Hamilton.

The officer recognized the man as being wanted for failing to attend court. When the officer approached him, the man got on the bicycle and tried to escape.

The officer chased the man as he rode away, caught him, and brought him to the ground. Police say the man resisted arrest and added that he had a knife, which he tried to access during the incident.

Other officers helped take the man into police custody.

While investigating, police learned that the bicycle he tried to use to get away had been reported stolen from a west-end residence in June 2015.

Police are reminding bicycle owners to record their serial number and report any lost or stolen bikes to police. They say that's how they knew this bike had been taken.

Police say they will attempt to find the owner and return their bike.

The 24-year-old Hamilton man arrested will appear in court today. He faces charges of assault to resist arrest, possession of stolen property under $5000, and the original charges related to his warrant.

Police are asking anyone with information that could help with the investigation to call them at 905-546-4725.