One of the original two stolen bikes — from a cross-country ride for men’s mental health — has been recovered by Winnipeg police. (MEN DON’T RIDE ALONE / FACEBOOK)
Winnipeg police have recovered one of the stolen high-end bicycles from a pair of cross-country cyclists raising funds for men’s mental health.
Valentin (Val) Duquenne and Thomas Clark made a stop in Winnipeg on July 24, when their bikes were stolen off a rack on their car while parked downtown.
A public fundraiser and a donation from Canadian Tire stores reached $16,000, allowing the men to get new replacement bikes from Olympia Cycle and Ski. Unfortunately, the replacement bikes were stolen in Calgary in August while their support vehicle was parked outside of a hotel.
Now, police in Winnipeg say they have recovered at least one of the original bicycles that the New Brunswick men were using.
On August 7, officers on patrol recognized one of the stolen bicycles being ridden by a man in the 1800 block of Bannatyne Avenue West. The 60-year-old suspect was arrested, and the bicycle was returned to its owner. The man faces a charge of possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and was released.
Police later identified the theft suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest. They also learned that following the thefts, the suspect traded the bicycles to the 60-year-old and an unidentified male.
On August 23, police arrested Kuol Thomas Madit, 42, at the intersection of Notre Dame Avenue and Balmoral Street, seizing a small amount of methamphetamine in the process.
Madit, who remains in custody, has been charged with theft and drug offences.
Police say the second stolen bicycle remains outstanding.
Duquenne and Clark were riding in support of the “Men Don’t Ride Alone” campaign, which concluded on August 11 in Victoria, B.C.
