POLICE – Bicycle-riding thieves hit Aberdeen store, twice

Police are asking for the public’s help after an Aberdeen business was broken into twice this week and the suspects fled on bikes.

The first report was received Feb. 3 when Kamloops RCMP responded to a commercial alarm activated around 9:45 p.m. at a retail business on the 1300-block of West Trans Canada Highway.

Officers discovered a large window had been smashed with a rock. Someone had entered the store and stolen various items of clothing before leaving on a white and silver mountain bike.

On Feb. 5, around 1 a.m., a second break and enter was reported at the same retail store; a rock was again used to gain entry. This time, two suspects entered the store and stole numerous clothing items before heading northbound on mountain bikes, then toward Columbia Street West. Police Dog Services assisted in searching for the suspects, but no one was located.

“The Kamloops RCMP Detachment is not only asking the public to help identify the suspects, but also to be careful about what they buy and who they buy it from,” said Const. Crystal Evelyn.

“Ask yourself where the item came from, why the person is selling it, and remember, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“Buying stolen merchandise encourages criminals to keep on stealing,” she added. “If you suspect something was obtained by illegal means, trust your instinct and don’t buy it. We all have a responsibility in discouraging crime and this is a simple step we can take to help.”

The Feb. 3 suspect is described as a Caucasian man wearing:
– a black Nike sweater
– grey sweatpants
– black and white Nike basketball shoes
– black gloves
– white Covid mask

The Feb. 5 suspects are described as men, wearing:
-all black
-a black hoodie with a Nike emblem on the front
-masks and gloves

If you have any information related to this file, such as who the suspects are, please contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 and reference file number 2021-3728 or 2021-3861.