Canadian 'bicycle thief' arrested

Canadian police have arrested a man they accuse of stealing a record number of bicycles in Toronto.

Igor Kenk, the owner of a bicycle store, was held last month after a spike in bike theft. Police say he had about 3,000 bikes in his possession.

After planting several bikes around the city, plainclothes officers waited to see who would steal them.

Mr Kenk was allegedly seen telling a companion to break the bike locks before riding off.

Local and international media reported that in the weeks following his arrest, police found about 2,865 bikes in his used-bicycle store, the Bicycle Clinic.

They also said they had found more cycles in several garages which he had rented.

About 15,000 cyclists have reportedly visited a former police garage, which has been crammed with the seized bicycles, in the hope of being reunited with their lost property.

"It was staggering," Ruth White, the superintendent of 14 Division, the unit that arrested Mr Kenk, was quoted as saying. "I've never seen anything like it in 30 years."

More than 400 bikes have been claimed so far.

Ms White said that "tons and tons of beautiful bikes" which are unclaimed may have to be auctioned off after the case is closed.

Mr Kenk is currently out on bail awaiting trial in September where he faces 58 charges including theft and possession of burglary tools.

Update 27 August: This article has been amended to more clearly attribute police allegations.