WATCH: A dramatic jump in motorcycle and scooter thefts has authorities reminding riders to stay vigilant. Ceilidh Millar reports.
Laura Gillalty was shocked to discover her KTM Duke 360 motorcycle had been stolen from outside her property in Langford last Tuesday.
“It was hidden away from the street, locked outside between our car and trailer,” Gillatly said. “I just walked outside [the next day] and nothing was there.”
Surveillance video from a nearby property captured the thief moving the motorcycle off the property, up a ramp and into a truck parked nearby.
“It was pretty brazen,” Gillatly explained. “This is a heavy populated area. It’s bright and it’s well lit.”
The theft is part of a growing number of motorcycle and scooter thefts over the last month in Greater Victoria.
“Over a 28-day period, we saw a 36 per cent increase in vehicle thefts,” Const. Matt Rutherford with the Victoria Police Department said.
Rutherford said in a two-week period, there were nine motorcycles and scooters stolen.
Cam Spencer has been tracking the number of bike thefts posted online through local rider Facebook group and says he is astonished by what he’s discovered.
“If somebody wants your bike, they’ll take it,” Spencer said. “Two guys, three guys, one to operate the vehicle, two guys in the back, you can steal just about any motorcycle in Victoria.”
Investigators are trying to determine what has caused the jump in thefts, but are reminding riders to take precautions by keeping their motorcycles stored inside or locked-up in a well-lit area.
“Just take those extra precautions to protect your property,” Rutherford said.
Anyone who has had their motorcycle stolen is urged to report it to police immediately.
Ceilidh Millar
