It probably wasn’t what RCMP had in mind when they locked up a bait bike in an area between Riverside and Pioneer parks.
Brandon Hopson pleaded guilty Monday to a single count of theft under $5,000 for an incident that occurred on June 23.
Crown prosecutor Don Mann said Mounties set up a bait bike — a bicycle equipped with a GPS locator locked up in a place to tempt a would-be thief.
On June 23, police received a notification the unit was moving.
Police first stopped Hopson on Overlanders Bridge, but noted he was not riding the bait bike.
They again traced the GPS unit to Hopson and stopped him again in North Kamloops.
They discovered a bicycle seat and post wrapped up in a shirt he was carrying.
Mann said Hopson admitted stealing the seat from the locked bicycle, telling police, “’I don’t know why I stole the seat — it was stupid.’”
Defence lawyer Jay Michi said Hopson has a serious drinking problem, noting the incident occurred when he relapsed. He is now attending weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
Provincial court judge Chris Cleaveley said he was giving Hopson a break by granting him an absolute discharge.
Hopson must pay a $300 victim-crime surcharge.
“The message is when you continue with your rehabilitation and your work, keep your hands off other people’s property,” Cleaveley said.
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