Metro Vancouver bike theft suspect plunges into frigid harbour to escape police

Mounties have netted an alleged bike thief who they say dove into the frigid waters of Steveston Harbour in an attempt to escape.

RCMP in Richmond, B.C., say officers responding to a report of a theft at an apartment building, confronted the suspect who was observed with a bike.

The suspect fled towards the popular fishing and tourist harbour and then dove into the bone-chilling waters.

Mounties say they found the 39-year-old man, who is known to them, hiding in a nearby washroom, suffering from signs of hypothermia.

The suspect was given a hot shower on site to keep his temperature up until paramedics could arrive.

Police say a fraudulently obtained rental truck loaded with several stolen bikes was found nearby, and officers are working on returning that property to their owners.