Calgary Police have charged two men and seized several high-end bicycles valued at approximately $70,000, following an investigation initiated by our Online Stolen Property (OSP) Team.
The OSP Team investigates the theft and recovery of stolen property being sold online.
In January 2025, Calgary Police officers became aware of a man who was believed to be selling a stolen bicycle online. The bicycle is believed to have been stolen during a break and enter that occurred in September 2024 at an apartment complex in downtown Calgary.
The bike was registered with Bike Index and was also flagged as being stolen on the program’s website, making it easier for our officers to identify.
The OSP Team began investigating and on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, officers retrieved the bicycle and returned it to its rightful owner.
As a result, Rochsarg BUQUEL, 27, of Calgary, is charged with possession of stolen property over $5,000 and trafficking stolen property.
He will next appear in court on Monday, Feb. 24, 2025.
The investigation continued and on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025, our officers executed a search warrant at a residence located in the 100 block of Manora Hill N.E., in relation to a suspected bicycle chop-shop.
During the search, officers located and seized 11 high-end bicycles valued at approximately $70,000, as well as two replica firearms, ammunition and approximately 18 grams of methamphetamine.
As a result, Juan Castillo PASION, 64, of Calgary, is charged with:
· Possession of stolen property over $5,000
· Trafficking stolen property
· Possession of a controlled substance
· Possession of a prohibited weapon
· Two counts of possession of a weapon and ammunition while prohibited
He appeared in court on Jan. 30, 2025.
Officers are working to return the recovered bicycles to their rightful owners. Visit our Facebook page for an album showcasing the bikes. If you believe you are the rightful owner of a bike email recoveredproperty@calgarypolice.ca.
If you locate a bike that does not belong to you, report it on the Calgary Police Service bike recovery website.
Calgarians are also reminded to register their bikes with Bike Index, a free online bike registration service, to aid in returning stolen bikes recovered by the CPS to their rightful owners.
Anyone with information about this, or similar incidents, is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers through any of the following methods:
TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
APP: P3 Tips
CA24398078/CA25012158/3542
