bicycle thief arrested - nearly 3,000 in posession

Canadian police have arrested one of the world's most prolific bicycle thieves after discovering almost 3,000 bikes in his possession.

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

Mr (Igor ed) Kenk was 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 found stolen cycles in his home and 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 caught 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.

"The rat pack collection of bicycles arguably makes Kenk the unofficial world champion of bicycle thieves," said the International Herald Tribune.

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