POLICE are looking for help from the public after a man took a high-end bicycle from a North Vancouver store for a test drive - and rode off into the sunset with it.
The mountain bike, worth about $3,500, hasn't been seen since. Kim Steed, the owner of Steed Cycles, said a man in his 40s came into the store around noon last Wednesday and mentioned he'd been talking previously to one of the salespeople about a particular bike. He said he had come back to do a test drive.
Steed said store staff adjusted the seat and suspension for him before taking a credit card, keys to his Mercedes and laptop bag for security.
It wasn't until about 45 minutes later when store staff realized he hadn't returned.
Staff called police who confirmed the credit card he'd given them was a fake.
There was also "no car in the parking lot to match the keys," said Steed, and the laptop bag had been strategically weighted down with brochures.
The man - who was clean-cut and well-dressed in an Arcteryx jacket - was caught on the store's video surveillance system.
Steed said he's hoping that might lead to some clues.
He added since the theft, store staff are being more vigilant when asking for picture ID along with a credit card. Steed said he's also considering requiring customers to leave a preauthorized deposit on the card before they get to take the bike.
The stolen bike is a Santa Cruz Blur LT, bright blue in colour, with a 20-inch frame and 26-inch wheels.
The man who rode the bike away is 5'11" tall with light brown hair. He was wearing a black and green Arcteryx windbreaker and green cargo pants. Anyone with information is asked to call the North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311.
jseyd@nsnews.com
