Bicycle bandit arrested twice, stole four bikes in two days

A Vancouver man is being investigated by police after being arrested twice in two days for stealing four bikes on the West Side.

Vancouver Police report the crime spree began on Sunday, May 24 at 8 a.m. when they were called to West Broadway and Alma Street after a “suspicious” man was seen walking with two bikes. One person in the area approached police and claimed the man had just tried to sell him what he believed were stolen bikes.

The man was soon found by police and the two bicycles were seized after the serial numbers matched reported stolen bikes, specifically one stolen in Delta in 2012. Police say, however, there was too little evidence to arrest the man.

But only an hour later, police allege the suspect broke into a home near Broadway and Trutch Street and stole one bike and a helmet. Nearby officers apprehended him at West 4th and Trutch and he was immediately put into custody and charged with break and enter.

The man was identified as 32-year-old Devon Reid L’Heureux.

Unfortunately, the bicycle-bandit saga continued the next day after L’Heureux was released from jail at 4:30 p.m. He then traveled from the Downtown Eastside to Kitsilano, where he was allegedly observed snooping around multiple properties before entering a home on Blenheim St. and West 4th and exiting on a mountain bike.

The owner quickly confirmed the bicycle was stolen and police then sent a K9 officer to West 1st and Dunbar St. to arrest L’Heureux. He tried to flee police but was ultimately apprehended by the police dog, just four hours after leaving the Vancouver Jail.

It is unknown as of yet what additional charges L’Heureux will face, but police are taking this opportunity to remind bike-owners to write down their serial numbers in case of theft. Recovered stolen bikes can be tracked back to their rightful owner through their serial numbers.