Suspect arrested after allegedly using forklift to steal e-bikes from Saanich business (PHOTOS)

An individual has been arrested for allegedly driving a forklift into a Saanich business and driving it away with stolen bicycles. 

Saanich Police say that on July 18th, at around 1:30 a.m. they received a report of a break and enter at a Broadmead Village Shopping Centre bike shop. 

The individual that reported the crime told police that an industrial forklift was used to smash into the front of the Ride the Glide E-Bike store, after which it was seen being used to steal multiple bikes. 

On social media, Ride the Glide posted about the crime, posting pictures of the damage. 

“Not a great start today! A person stole a construction forklift and drove it to our shop and used it to smash the front of the store, steal four bikes and drive away with them,” wrote Ride the Glide. 

“But the damage is done and clean up begins. We expect to be closed for the next few days while repairs are arranged and made.”

Police say they attended the scene and found the forklift in the middle of the 800-block of Royal Oak Drive, just a short distance from Broadmead Village Shopping Centre.

However, there was no suspect at the forklift’s controls. 

A nearby witness reportedly told police that they had seen the driver flee on foot into a nearby field. 

Saanich Police’s Integrated Canine Service then attended the scene and managed to track the suspect who was found hiding in bushes nearby where the witness had seen the driver flee. 

According to police, the suspect sustained injuries during the arrest and was taken to the hospital to be treated. 

Because the suspect was injured, the Independent Investigation Office (IIO) has been notified for a subsequent investigation into what occurred. 

The suspect remains in custody, awaiting a court appearance.

Police say the forklift was stolen from a work site in the 4500-block of Elk Lake Drive, just across the highway from the shopping centre, and has since been returned.