Montreal police announced on Friday that two suspects have been taken into custody after the theft of two high‑value racing bicycles belonging to an Italian cycling team. The bikes, each valued at $27,000, were stolen from a hotel parking garage on September 14 and later posted for sale online, prompting a police investigation that led to the arrests.
The stolen bicycles were discovered missing after the team’s two cyclists returned to their hotel to find the equipment gone. Surveillance footage from the garage showed the removal of the bikes, and investigators traced the subsequent online listings to a local address. Police officers seized the bicycles and identified two individuals connected to the sale. Both suspects were detained without incident and are now facing charges related to theft and attempted fraud.
The timing of the robbery raised concerns for the athletes, as the UCI World Road Championships are set to begin this weekend in Montreal. Losing the specialized race bikes could have compromised the cyclists’ preparation and performance in the international competition. By recovering the bicycles and apprehending those responsible, authorities have helped ensure the team can compete with the equipment they originally intended to use.
The incident underscores the heightened security challenges surrounding major sporting events, especially when high‑priced equipment is involved. Montreal police emphasized that the swift resolution demonstrates their capacity to respond to crimes that could affect the city’s reputation as a host for world‑class events. The two arrested individuals remain in custody pending further legal proceedings.