ESTEVAN - The Estevan Police Service (EPS) is reminding the public to keep their bicycles secured following a rash of thefts in the community this month.
Police Chief Rich Lowen said the EPS had received nine reports of stolen bicycles from July 1-26. And while the EPS arrested a person on July 21 that it believes was responsible for multiple thefts, Lowen said people can't be complacent.
"The message we want to get out to people is make sure you lock your bikes. Just because we live in a safe city doesn't mean you should leave them out. Make sure you secure them. Lock your storage units, your sheds. Make sure you keep your property locked, and don't leave those crimes of opportunity to people," said Lowen.
Bicycles should also be secured to a pole or to something solid, so that it can't be carried away. The EPS isn't going to blame a victim when a theft occurs, but people have to secure their property or it becomes vulnerable.
Lowen also pointed out the bike thefts are a property crime, and it's unlikely the individual arrested earlier this month would be remanded into custody long-term, so the person could be released back to the public with conditions, but those won't always deter a person from stealing again.
"Common sense dictates lock your property and lock your bicycles when you're leaving them," said Lowen.
The individual's name was not released, but it is someone known to police, Lowen said.
