DEALS GREAT AT AUCTION

Islanders get some nice wheels at Charlottetown Police bike auction

The Charlottetown Police Services held its annual bike auction Saturday and good deals were to be found.

The prices were so good that it was almost a steal for anyone who attended the Charlottetown Police Services bike auction this weekend.

Charlottetown police sold more than 50 bicycles during the annual bike auction at the Kirkwood Drive station Saturday morning.

Bikes, as well as some other items like a basketball net, stroller and air conditioner, saw final bids ranging from a single dollar all the way up to $250.

It was Thane Kennedy’s first time attending the auction after hearing good things about the sale.

“Everybody was saying ‘yeah, you can get some good deals there’ as well, we decided to come in and have a look,” said Kennedy, who left the auction with a basketball net and three bikes for his kids Erika, Jordan and Reese, who was celebrating his eighth birthday on Saturday.

Kennedy noted that he got quite a deal on the items.

“This bike here is about a $1,500 bike (new) and you can’t really buy a bike today for under $200 bucks,” he said.

Constable Ron Kennedy, who served as the day’s auctioneer, noted that the bikes were all ones that had been abandoned, suspected stolen and recovered, but never claimed or simply misplaced.

“But they all ended up in our custody and we only have so much room for storage,” said Const. Kennedy. “We try to have at least one auction a year because we never have the space.”

He noted that if an individual’s bike ends up in police custody it will be kept for a minimum of 90 days.

Once enough bikes are in storage, police then have an auction.

There was also about half a dozen bikes that saw no bids on them during the auction.

However, they too may still find a new home.

Const. Kennedy said an individual will usually come to police after the auction and offer to fix up any bikes that are left over. Those refurbished bikes are then donated to non-profit groups like the Boys and Girls Club.

However, most of the bikes were gone after the auction, with some buyers purchasing certain bikes just for their spare parts.

“If you really know what you’re looking for, you can get a good deal,” said Const. Kennedy.

MITCH MACDONALD/THE GUARDIAN Siblings, from left, Erika, Reese and Jordan Kennedy show the bikes their father Thane bought them during the Charlottetown Police bike auction on Saturday. Reese was also celebrating his eighth birthday on the day of the auction.