LPS cracks bike chop shop; three men charged

Dec 17, 2019 | 3:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE — Three men have been charged with drug and property offences after a bike chop shop was located at a north-side home.

On Monday (Dec 16), the Downtown Policing Unit, Canine, Patrols, the Priority Crimes Unit and NWEST (National Weapons Enforcement Support Team) executed a search warrant at a home in the 300 block of 20 Street North. The warrants were obtained following numerous reports of suspected drug activity at the home, which is located near an elementary school.

A property search located seven bikes, nine bike frames and several hundred dismantled bike parts including forks, pedals, chains, sprockets and seats. Multiple tool cases, a variety of high end commercial tools and a replica firearm were also recovered.

Bike parts seized by LPS

Replica firearms, while not illegal to possess, are concerning to police as they are frequently involved in the commission of violent offences. The value of the tools is estimated at $6,000 and the stolen bikes at $5,550.

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Replica weapon confiscated by LPS

Three men were arrested and police also seized small quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine. The owners of some of the stolen property have been identified and police are attempting to identify the owners of the other items.

Those charged include:

53-year old Bradley Peter Smith, who is faces two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and disobeying a court order.

45-year old Kenneth Donald Leverington, who is charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

39-year old Gilbert Theodore McComb, is charged with possession of an identity document.

All three are currently awaiting Judicial Interim Release hearings.

Tools confiscated by LPS

by Dori Modney