City
Bike Sting Nabs Igor At His Bicycle Clinic
Bike thieves in Toronto beware: The police are on your trail.
As Sun Media reported this morning, Igor Kenk, who owns the infamous Bicycle Clinic on Queen St. W. and Strachan Ave. was arrested last night by plainclothes police officers after they allege to have caught him in the act.
Since almost 5,000 bikes have been reported stolen this year alone in Toronto, it's a relief to hear that the police are finally doing something constructive to combat this ongoing problem.
Just about everyone I know who rides a bike in Toronto has had one ripped off. I once had my bike seat and post stolen even after having it bolted.
Oftentimes stolen bikes and bike parts end up at shady second-hand bike stores like Igor's.
Aside from offering these tips and providing a bicycle registration program, Toronto cops have largely turned a blind eye to this ongoing problem in our city.
Until now.
What's your experience with Igor's Bicycle Clinic? Do you think this arrest will do much to lower the bike theft rate in our city? Will it deter other bicycle thieves in Toronto?
If you need an alternative to Igor's Bicycle Clinic, perhaps consider visiting one of the Best Bike Stores in Toronto. Or consider one of the Toronto Bike mobile ride and clinics organized by Dan Teleki (pictured above) at various locations around Toronto.
Ever had your bike stolen in Toronto? Got some tips on how to stop bicycle thieves in Toronto?
Update (Friday afternoon): Police have recovered 150 supposedly stolen bikes from inside Igor's shop and are having an open house Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come see if your bike is among the recovered rides at the public viewing at Central Garage, 9 Hanna Street.
Photos by Roger Cullman.
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Now if we could just fine all the idiots who buy from him and keep him in business.
I just bought a bike, and although it's a pretty decent one, it doesn't look like it, and I'm planning to double lock whenever I'm riding it downtown.
Igors was mentioned as a place of stolen bikes a week ago in the morning brew's comments.
"A shitty commuting bike is key unless you have a safe place to store it (i.e. building parking garage, bike locker etc.). My commuting bike is a 13 year hybrid my dad gave me when he got a new one. That didn't prevent it from getting stolen, but I managed to get it back within 20 minutes. Saw it sitting out front of that really shady bike place on Queen across from Trinity-Bellwoods as I was morosely riding the streetcar. The guy gave it back and promised not to buy bikes again from the guy who brought mine in, but Igor was still really shady." - Mark
Hope this news story helps Mark some closure on his stolen bike saga.
it is very good to see after so many years this guy finally getting caught in the act.
They hurt the people that depend on them the most. Many of the people I know who are riding bicycles in the city do so because their budget is stretched already that transit is expensive. IT IS THEIR ONLY WAY TO GET AROUND!
This news makes me really happy, the only sore spot is that it took the Toronto Sun to do an article before the police even did anything. With the high number of bike thefts in this city (2 for me in the last 3 years), you would think they would have an active bike bait program.
it's really bad karma to steal bikes for profit. it's like taking someones legs and selling them back to you for a quick profit.
Maybe Igor's arrest will get the ball rolling, and the police will start to do something to reduce the crazy number of bike thefts that happen in this city.
And maybe I'll get my bike back!
I wouldn't buy cars from a shady looking dealership, why would I buy a bike from an equally shady guy?
You don't have to worry about internal components on a bicycle failing. Chances are if the brakes and gears work when you buy it, they will continue to do so (within reason).
check out: http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_bike_stores_in_toronto/
also, it is yard sale season.
Among cyclists in the city, most know Igor is a creep who buys stolen bikes, I'm glad they finally caught him in the act and hope they get rid of his shop for GOOD.
I'm only sad because my Kona Kuku was JUST stolen and I was hoping to find it there! Sad but true...
*** Please note "THE BIKE CLINIC" on Harbord is NOT affiliated!! The guys there are honest mechanics and are NOT associated with Igor's "Bicyle Clinic"!!
It's crazy that it took so long to do this. I suspect that if the block he is in had not gentrified so much it would have been another ten years. This isn't police work, it is a real estate play.
Lock the creep up for a month and watch what happens-
The numbers/stolen reports will decrease HUGELY
Igor offers up $25/bike and supplies the cutters- regardless if it's a $99 Canadian Tire Bike or a $1200 mountain bike.
Congrats to the Police Division in taking a first step in nailing this scum.
Death to all bike thieves!
My $650 brand new silver Marin was stolen last year from beside my friend's house in the Bloor and Dufferin area. I'll probably never see it again but I feel like police action like this might help in someway for me to get it back. Let's check the used bike buying policy of every second hand bike store in town. It should be illegal to buy and sell a stolen bike just like it's illegal to buy and sell anything else that's stolen. What is it that the police don't seem to understand about this?
Its too bad that he's been selling stolen bikes, I know it sucks to have a bike stolen, but at the same time he seems to be the first guy to rescue abandon rusty seemingly useless bikes from the street put them back into working order and sell them at ridiculously low prices.
I don't think the police should turn a blind eye to bike thievery by any means, but at the same time I don't think Igor is the villian he's being made out be
There are a couple of other bike-stealing jerks in the city, so don't feel too comfortable just yet.
I first heard shady things about Igor back in '95. Can't believe it's taken this long to nail the guy.
He bought his shop for $85,000... That location today must be worth at least four times that, even in it's severe state of disrepair. Why not just sell the place?
I tried many times to see him right after, but he was never open. When I called the number he stood me up twice. I gave up.
Tried again a few weeks ago. he would not show me inside. I told him the bike I was looking for and he kept talking gibberish. Going on about giving my a bike and trying it for a year, Bring it back if I don;t like it etc.
Going on about never settling for one bike. " Guys that only fuck one chick are idiots and losers ,same for bikes" He went on and on about this for a while. A complete and utter wack job.
It is hard to beieve, but my friend and I were talking about him today and how they need to do a very public sting to send a message. and wham here it is.
If this is true and I am sure it is, I hope they nail him hard. And I hope some other nutcase whos bile he stole takes a font fork to his head!!
It took alot of patience to answer his bike questions to his satisfaction and too stomach his sly insults such as
"... you Canadians are so lazy, why do you want to build a frame?.. just buy a full bike $125.00 full refund"
It was clear that this is and was a shady joint but Igor knows his stuff about bikes and unfortunatly it is likely a total alcholic and drug addict and this is what fuels his shop and his "recyclers" need to carry on.
I felt totally dirty supporting this shop as a avid cyclist and home mechanic but like the CN tower in Toronto it was a place i had to check out at least once and judging from the part time mechanics stopping by for frames while i was their it was pretty popular.
Maybe jail will clean up Igor and he can make some dough for his building and better serve toronto by building free communters for all of the 12,000 cyclists who lost their bikes in the past 12 months.
Then again Theft under $5000.00 gets him aslap on the wrist he pays a fine and does 60 days weekends in a minimum security facility with a decent lawyer.
I supose we will have to watch this smart scribe from the sun for further news.
----
I'd have a look at the shady bike shop in Kensington. Their bikes are obviously chopped up mishmashes of multiple bikes. Call me crazy but it's certainly worth looking at.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFkLacoWP_E
And one little charge is going to shut the whole operation down. Duh.
Wake up.
Est. 12,000 bikes a year stolen in Toronto - you really think Igors' doing it ALL???
One count of theft under is going to shut down this entire empire??
C'mon. Wake up. He'll likely walk on all counts. He didn't steal the bike, he wasn't even holding the bolt cutters. And the sting bike was untouched. Go talk to a lawyer. How long do you think it will take to get this thrown out?
Only one seat? Lucky. I'm going to try Torx bolts.
http://www.tpsb.ca/V/General/FAQ/Can_I_complain_to_the_Board_about_the_actions_of_a_police_officer?/
Remember that the police department revolves around the mantra of "Cover Your Ass", not "Serve and Protect". If you give them the impression that it will be less work to go out and solve the crime in question than to brush you off, you might get better results.
They're inviting members of the public to claim their stolen bikes tomorrow. I didn't catch all of the details but anyone who thinks that their bikes might be one of the recovered bikes should bring ID, registration form, and receipts if you have them to 9 Hanna Ave. Other optional proof of ownership includes photos of you on your bike. They're also inviting all bike owners to register their bikes.
Toronto Fire helped lower bikes from the second floor via removed window and pulley system. I'm sure that City News will have a full report on their website soon.
Press conference media advisory here: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/14561.pdf
Sounds like Silverman Helps could've helped make this more of a known place ages ago.
Silverman vs. Igor. That would've been something to watch. :)
-look on igors face when he realizes he was totally f*ct and busted for 3 pounds of pot and some crack as well as all his hot bikes...priceless
-look on toronto bikers faces whom have had oh so many bikes stolen...vindicated
As for Igor, over ten years ago my roomie had her bike stolen from our yard and it appeared later that day, hanging in the window of his old shop, further west on Queen. When she tried to reclaim her bike he assaulted her and her two friends (Igor's a big dude) and then charged her with assault. When she counter-charged him all charges were dropped and she got her bike back but it took about a year of bullshit. And the cops all knew him.
On another occasion some friends of mine spotted Igor scouting out bikes at UofT, riding slowly through the bike stands like he was shopping for fruit. They started yelling and chased him away. This guy is a serious long-term scumbag and it's disgusting that it's taken the cops this long to actually lift one finger about bike theft and about Igor.
but George in Parts Unknown in the kensington alley in no way deserves to be lumped in with the likes of Igor.. he has a grungy workshop and practices the art of mix-and-match to be sure, but he's a real stand-up guy and very friendly
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/07/18/scenes-from-the-raid-at-the-bicycle-clinic.aspx
I would sometimes ask him if his bikes were stolen, (never got a no or a yes), but he did say he did not ask those questions. He said if someone was selling him a bike, he would buy it. If he didn't buy it, someone else would. If a bike ever did get stolen, and someone came looking for their bike, and he had it - he would give it back to them.
I made sure he knew me and my bike well as an insurance policy, and made sure to buy my lock from him that he guaranteed would protect my bike or my money back.
I really felt he was an honourable thief. He loves bikes, life and all people. He really has a kind heart and soul. Anyone who has spent time on his sidewalk knows this.
That being said, I don't know what I would ever do if my bike got stolen (it would kill me), so my sympathies for anyone who has - but we all have to admit, Igor did add character & life to that corner!
But I still can't regret supporting him - he gave me comfort through words and bike fixing on many difficult days (and some times some of his home brewed alcohol, I'm not going to lie).
As you can see, most peoples experiences with Igor are the complete opposite that you describe. Which doesn't surprise me as he was clearly not predictable or even discernable in conversation often. On a second note, I don't think the type of character and life Igor's shop added will be missed. I'm no detective, but it's pretty easy to figure out his system (and the police report during his arrest pretty much reinforces this) he gives desperate thieves usually addicted to drugs (I may add they found crack in his premises and a bit of personal pot (only 3 pounds)), 25$ to steal bikes, he even case's them out for them and tells them where they are. I don't care how charming you are 1% of the time, scamming people like that is bs, and being hostile and aggresive is bs too. I'm not the first to say that that sort of place of business (if you can even call it that) though endearing in an anarchistic way, is simply a total waste zone, that breeds not just bike thievery, but crack dealing and god knows what else........ok im done.
http://playlistor.com/play.php?pl=Dx3hp9H7wzut9i9
I believe due to budget constraints, the cops no longer due this.This had not only been a grave disservice for the public ,but also unfair to used vendors trying to run a clean business. A business that keeps these details can hardly be at fault for buying a used bike that may or may not have been stolen (it's not really his concern...that's the cop's job).BTW..Uncle Jacob logged all my info when I sold him my used bike years ago.
I believe the cops are grandstanding and should bring back and enforce the old system.
Another thing too...Yes, Igor's a scumbag (anyone that lives dwtn for years knows this) but he will probably get off the more serious charge due to this system not being used. He COULD have been charged for possession of stolen goods for EVERY hot bike they found NOT logged in the police logbook. As there is no longer any logbook system, it could be argued that 'how was he supposed to know they were stolen' and he couldn't be shown to be 'hiding this information fom the logbook. I think this at least would seriously show intent.
Sure there would still be fake I.D. and unreported deals...but this would give some tools to help prosecute and create a hassle for the bike theif hustlers.
Only a person going and 'finding' his bike at the cop depot will show it to be stolen, and even then, as I mentioned in my earlier comment, the charge of possession of all those stolen bikes will be hard to make stick, I think.
Just thought we should all be realistic about the real charges against him and the real penalties so that in a year when he goes to trial, we don't get all huffy that he got a 'slap on the wrist'.
So ya..great big news about Igor , a bit of police grandstanding, and a raised public awareness of the bike theft problem..bravo!
But realistically we should be telling the city to bring back the old system.
I've seen people come and claim they've lost their lock keys or some such and could he cut off their bike lock - he always refused.
I've also been around several times when someone has tried to sell him a bike where Igor has known who the real owner is and Igor gets the bike back to the real owner. There's an example of this in the Globe and Mail today:http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20080719.IGOR19/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Ontario/
This is grandstanding by the cops for sure. They pulled this once before on Igor about 10 years ago, nothing stuck then either. Igor is not the kingpin of some massive bike theft ring. If any of those bikes down at Hannah get claimed as stolen, blame the cops for not actually checking the log books they were so fond of picking up every few days.
Am I right that they don't bother with the logbooks any more?
True enough..he is a real character, I'll give him that. Actually, I regret in my post calling him a scumbag, I was mirroring an earlier post and should have used quotes.
I would say more he's 'dodgy', 'volotile' and an 'asshole' (a lot of interesting people are assholes though).
Let's see how this all plays out.
On July 19th, 2008 jamesmallon (not verified) says:
http://torontoist.com/2008/07/recovering_from_clinical_dep...
The cops have the bikes at one location for a look-see. Take some kind of proof.
I took photos of mine, and registered them today at: http://www.bikeregistrycanada.com/registerbike.html
1/2 price if you use 'MEC' as the promotion code (Mountain Equipment Co-Op).
It wont be ANY possession charges for your bike. As I mentioned...if the cops no longer use the logbooks, the onus is not on the buying vendor to ascertain whether or not the bike is stolen. That's why, when mentioned earlier, the cops mentioned to someone who's bike is stolen " Go check with Igor" , all they are saying is that stolen bikes get bought there...not that he knowingly steals bikes, or knowingly buys stolen bikes. How could they do that? Well, for one..like they did...a sting where he is caught actually stealing a bike (or directing someone to, the same thing in law) OR they find a stolen bike in his shop NOT logged (I believe, in the no longer used) logbooks.
Im bit taken aback by the ignorance of the actual legal issues, the grandstanding of the cops, and the mob mentality vs. Igor. Everyone had HEARD stories of Igor...how much are innuendos vs. actual facts?
I do believe they will really try in the courts to nail Igor. And common sense would tell us that if he buys a $1000 for $75 off a 'questionable looking' person with no I.D...then the bike is most likely stolen and he deserves to get busted.
I do think if he gets a good lawyer, there are going to be a lot of upset people when he gets a slap on the wrist.
The cops are still investigating...maybe we'll see if there is a highly organised criminal racket and that Igor is connected to that. Maybe his busted assistant or some other associate caught up in this will squeel on him.
If a had to bet, if he has no previous convictions, he'll get a very light sentence (either min. jail on weekends or fine and probation).
There are now around 11 police vehicles parked outside of his shop.
Two of the vehicles there are large vans. They seem to be taking everything out of the store, pieces of bikes and all.
Great news to have the bum behind bars.
Igor Kenk- Bicycle Thief.....nice.
Also why aren't the stores selling bikes make registration part of the bike sale process, then provide the police with the list weekly or monthly.
I hope someone steals your bike this year - you're a total c*nt.
Sounds like a great idea in theory. Implementing it may be a little tricky though. I've heard of shady bike store employees using the address information given at the time of purchase to stake out the homes of the new bike owners and steal their new bikes.
If someone could come up with a better idea that would circumvent this from likely happening, it could work out for the cyclists. Perhaps a flyer given out with every new bike that mentions the bike registry, but can only be accessed online (and for free)?
At the risk of being shouted down by the rabble, I respectfully suggest that you can only -- and should only -- trust your own instincts as regards Igor Kenk. One should not be swayed by what one reads. Of the few people who have met the man, fewer still have spent more than a few enraged minutes insulting him for having "stolen" their bike. (Never the best way to get to know someone in my books). You took time, you listened, you probably looked in his eyes, you might have seen through the haze. Trust your head and your gut. Things are rarely as simple as some would make them seem.
Hours of operation:
− Friday, July 25, 2008: noon to 8 p.m.
− Saturday, July 26, 2008 and Sunday, July 27, 2008: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
− Monday, July 28, 2008 to Thursday, July 31, 2008: noon to 8 p.m.
The bicycles are available for viewing at 35 Strachan Avenue and 30 Ordnance Street. Those who attend to recover their bicycles should be prepared to offer proof of ownership, such as receipts or store registrations. Owner identification will be required. Photo ID is preferred.
Police officers will be present to register bicycles.
Now I wanna go lock up my bike to his jail bars everyday on my way into work. Ahh, the look on his face.
If he's so good at picking bike locks, why can't he pick his cell lock?
Serves you right, Igor.
While the press has villanized Kenk, keep in mind that he never stole one bike, he simply bought bikes from people who came to his shop to sell them, and he sold lots of bikes to people who knew damned well they were stolen elsewhere. So they jail Kenk, he's been replaced by Toronto Craigslist anyway.
Want to blame someone? Blame the Queen West community of loser hipsters who will keep bike theft thriving in Toronto.
In my view making use of the increasing number of bike racks is a good way of preventing theft, while parking a bike in a well lit area is also recommended.irst defense against motorcycle theft is your bike's steering lock, And very special think Protecting your motorcycle from theft is more of relying on your common sense rather than depending on alarms and other anti-theft equipments.
bike thefts didnt go down after igor was arrested......
Jake Jameson
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He was a real character! Definitely a lot of intelligence and street-savvy charisma, he could be super charming and helpful or crude, insulting and base. He had an eye for the ladies and always much commentary on society's ills; loved to debate and had strong opinions which fueled endless rhetoric. He could be very moody also and often exhibited a thick vein of cynicism. There was an edge there that could put you on guard, wondering just what he might be (or not be) capable of. His attitude of total belligerance and contempt for the law was another standard feature, concurrent with a flamboyant flair of self-assured self-entitlement wrapped in an aura of mystery. He might have made a great actor had he gone in that direction.
When the news broke about the bike scene I was both surprised and also not surprised. Drugs and theft ? Sure, it seemed totally possible. Hearing the various comments here, from the disgusted to the charmed, I can say that Igor totally fits the bill of a protagonist who's left a tattoo on the skin of Toronto's social body. If the true story of this guy's life could be researched (a dubious possibility), it could be movie-of-the-week material.