Saanich police have arrested a man and woman in connection with what appears to be an organized bicycle theft and “chop-shop” operation.

The department’s Property Crime Investigation Unit is investigating a spike in bike thefts in the municipality, mostly from the University of Victoria.

article continues below

More than 70 bikes have been reported stolen in Saanich so far this year, compared to 56 for all last year.

Investigators found bicycles matching the descriptions of those reported stolen listed for sale online.

This led to the arrest of a 21-year-old Saanich man and a 33-year-old Victoria woman in connection with the thefts.

Officers then obtained a search warrant for a Gordon Head home, where a large number of bikes and bike parts were found.

Police are recommending charges of possession of property obtained by crime and possession of break-in instruments against the pair.

Some of the bicycles appear to have been stripped down for parts and others sold whole, said Acting Sgt. Jereme Leslie of Saanich police.

Leslie said it’s difficult to assess the value of the stolen property, but estimates are as high as $100,000 for the total value.

The university is a prime hunting ground for bicycle thieves, Leslie said. He recommends bicycle owners use a U-bolt style locks rather than chains or cables, which can be more easily defeated, record bicycle serial numbers and engrave their names on the frame.

Saanich police and UVic Campus Security can assist with recording and marking bicycles. Victoria police and West Shore RCMP also have bike registries.