The clock is ticking down for bike owners hoping to be reunited with their rides.
Nearly 500 of the more than 2,000 allegedly stolen bicycles seized from storage spaces around the downtown core as part of a massive theft investigation have been returned to their rightful owners.
But those still pining for their lost wheels now have just over two weeks to claim their property. After that, authorities will have to hold on to them.
"We have an obligation to hold onto these bicycles as evidence and, you know, certainly part of our desire is to want to try to return as much of this property as we can," Robert Tajti of Toronto Police explained.
Despite the fact that some of these bikes will be used as evidence in the case against three suspects, including a well-known downtown bicycle store owner, charged in connection to a Queen West police bike sting, it's in authorities best interests to get them back to their rightful owners as the province and city are shelling out cash to store them.
You can peruse the hundreds of bicycles police have stored at
35 Strachan Ave. on the following dates and times:
- Friday, August 22, 2008: noon to 8 pm,
- Saturday, August 23, 2008 and Sunday, August 24, 2008: 10 am, to 6 pm,
- Monday, August 25, 2008 to Friday, August 29, 2008: noon to 8 pm,
- Saturday, August 30, 2008 and Sunday, August 31, 2008: 10 am, to 6 pm,
- Monday, September 1, 2008: closed,
- Tuesday, September 2, 2008 to Friday, September 5, 2008: noon to 8 pm,
- Saturday September 6, 2008 and Sunday September 7, 2008: 10 am, to 6 pm
Officers will also be on hand so you can register your bike.
Igor Kenk, 48, Jean Laveau, 47 and Jeannie Chung, 37, are all facing charges in connection to the bike investigation.