Spokane police recover stolen bike worth $6,000

A Spokane Police officer recovered a stolen mountain bike valued at $6,000 Monday, after a short pursuit through Mission Park.

According to a news release, the officer was on patrol in the Mission Park area around 3 p.m. Monday. Several people were gathered under the park’s picnic shelter, but scattered quickly when the officer approached.

The officer saw a man riding away from the shelter on a black and red mountain bike with a bright yellow logo on the wheels, which he immediately recognized from an investigation a few days before. The bike had been reported stolen and valued at $6,000 by the victim, the news release said.

As the man rode away, the officer activated his patrol car lights and siren. Despite looking back at the car several times, the man, later identified as Austin Wicke, 23, refused to stop, the news release said. He led the officer on a chase, doubling back several times, weaving between houses and riding into oncoming traffic on Mission Avenue.

Wicke then ditched the bike behind a nearby house. The officer tried to apprehend Wicke, advising that he didn’t want to use force but gave him several warnings with his Taser, the news release said. Wicke complied and was taken into custody.

During the arrest, the officer discovered a pair of bolt cutters and a bag containing a white crystal substance that later tested positive for methamphetamine, the news release said. Wicke told the officer he had traded the bike “for some dope … from some tweaker,” according to the release.

Wicke was booked at Spokane County Jail under charges of possession of stolen property and possession of a controlled substance.

The bike was returned to the victim.