Originally Posted by
jet sanchEz
I rode by Igor's and there was a bike cop out front so I stopped to ask him what was to be done if I suspected my stolen bike was in there. He said that the best course of action is to wait and, if I hadn't already done so, report the bike stolen. He wasn't sure if the contents would be seized but he was inclined to think that they would be. That could be pie in the sky but, if you have a serial number, you might get your bike back.
I've had a sit down conversation with Igor once (2 years ago).
He had his beer and classical music playing at the time wearing his "I'm Tired" t-shirt. We sat in Lawn chairs by the side of the street. His idea is that he is a 3rd party holder. Like a bank or a pawn shop.
A person comes to him ... say a fiend with a freshly stolen bicycle.
Igor will give the fiend enough money to put him on his way for his fix.
If you happen to know that is your bicycle (within a couple days), Igor will sell you the bike for the same amount he purchased it for plus maybe some storage fees, overhead and interest.
But his business plan is exactly the same as a bank or a pawn shop. The only difference are his clientele. A slight shadier then the most.
He also is suppose to (he showed me his log book) keep record of all the bikes the come in and go out of his place for the police. Of course I think sometimes he might forget to write in a few.
Anyway. Igor, came from some eastern European country a long time ago, his fundamental values are different than those in Canada.
I'm not saying he's right in doing what he does. He just has a good way of justifying it.