Bicycle ‘chop shop’ raided in Hamilton encampment

Several stolen bikes were recovered from what police described as a “chop shop” based in a Hamilton encampment.

Investigators became aware of the suspected chop shop near Main Street and King Street East, an area residents have dubbed “the Delta.”

Numerous area residents have reported stolen bikes in recent weeks. As a result, officers went to a nearby encampment and found several bikes. They determined that the bike did not belong to anyone living in the camp.

However, the bikes had recently been heavily modified and re-painted making it difficult to determine the original owners.

While at the encampment, a resident approached the officers to report that someone had stolen a bike rack from a nearby McDonalds parking lot.

When officers returned the bike rack, they found the restaurant’s security cameras captured the theft. They were able to use this recording to identify a suspect.

As a result, they’ve charged a 50-year-old man with theft under $5,000 and breach of probation. Police did not identify the suspect.

Investigators noted that 450 bicycles are stolen in Hamilton every year and only four per cent are recovered. They said the best way to ensure a stolen bike gets returned is to register it in their database.