Police say motorcycle thefts are very common this time of year, and are encouraging owners to take the necessary precautions to secure their bikes.
To date, police say there have been 27 motorcycle thefts in Edmonton.
"Approximately 60 per cent of these thefts happen overnight with the bikes being lifted off the back of trucks and wheeled away. You can reduce the chance of theft by securing your motorcycle with a locking mechanism to your truck bed or to a post, installing an alarm / ignition immobilizing system on your bike, using a steering lock, or locking up your motorcycle in a garage away from public view," said Const. Cathy Ruskin, community liaison with EPS Northeast Division.
Just this week, Edmonton police arrested and charged a man in connection with a motorcycle theft and criminal flight that took place in north Edmonton.
On Wednesday afternoon, officers noticed three motorcycles travelling at a high rate of speed in the area of 109 Street and Beaumaris Road.
And when police ran the licence plate numbers of the bikes, they determined one of the bikes was stolen.
Officers tracked the motorcycle to an address on Stirling Rd, but the bike took off when officers approached the area.
Air-One was called in to assist, and the bike was eventually tracked in the area of 98 Street and 155 Avenue, where police arrested the driver.
Police say the motorcycle was reported stolen earlier that morning, and the registered owner had been notified about the recovery. The bike has since been returned to the owner.
Regan Leslie Prentice, 18, is facing a number of charges including possession of stolen property over $5,000, and criminal flight.
The accused is in custody and appeared in court Friday.
Anyone with information that can assist with a motorcycle theft investigation is asked to contact the Edmonton Police Service at 780-423-4567.
