Mastermind behind high-end bicycle thefts jailed 22 months

The case of a Niagara man described by police as the mastermind behind an elaborate theft ring that targeted high-end bicycles is an example of the divisive impact drug addiction can have on a community.

“This crime is an example of how fentanyl poisons a community,” federal prosecutor Darren Anger said in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines Thursday.

“This is the unseen element of opioid addiction.”

Trevor Armstrong pleaded guilty Thursday to 21 charges including a number of theft offences and two counts of possession of fentanyl.

He was sentenced to 22 months behind bars, followed by probation for three years and he lost his driving privileges for 12 months.

Judge Joseph Nadel said the sentence must be reflect the both the defendant’s moral culpability and the magnitude of his crimes.

“Your behaviour merits severe sanctions,” the judge told the 33year-old.

Court heard the Grimsby resident ran an organized ring of bike thieves that would target parking lots in the tourist centre.

In the summer of 2018, assistant Crown attorney Grace Pang said Niagara Falls was “plagued by high-end bicycle thefts.”

Armstrong was subsequently identified as being the ring leader of the theft ring and was placed under observation by Niagara Regional Police.

Police followed as Armstrong would drive through parking lots in search of the pricey bicycles.

When he found a bike he liked, he’d leave the parking lot and return later with another individual.

The second individual would remove the bicycle and place it in Armstrong’s vehicle. He would then drive the second male to a bank machine where he would withdraw some cash and hand it over to his accomplice.

On Aug. 18, 2018, for example, he stole a $16,000 Colnago 21speed bicycle from a vehicle in Niagara Falls.

Police later executed a search warrant at his residence and discovered four additional stolen bicycles. All told, the stolen bicycles at his home were valued at more than $28,000.

Armstrong was arrested and released on bail pending trial. One of the conditions of his release was that he stay out of Niagara Falls.

He was arrested again in November 2018 after police spotted him driving through a hotel parking lot in Niagara Falls. When he was arrested, police found he was carrying a small amount of fentanyl.

Last July, police again found Armstrong in Niagara Falls. What followed was a high-speed chase which police subsequently abandoned due to public safety.

He was arrested again the following month after being found in possession of stolen property, and a quantity of fentanyl, at a Niagara-on-the-Lake mall.

Defence lawyer Jaime Stephenson said her client has a “very serious addiction issue” but has been sober since his last arrest in August and was incarcerated at Niagara Detention Centre.

While at the detention centre, he has availed himself of various programming including anger management, religion and substance abuse classes.

“The memory of the high and the excitement is something you should try to bury,” the judge told the defendant.

“Hopefully, I won’t see you again.”