A Brampton man took matters into his own hands after discovering parts of his stolen motorcycle — including his helmet — being sold on Facebook Marketplace, leading to a tense self-led recovery in Milton.
Angel Valiente, whose 2015 Kawasaki Ninja was stolen from his apartment’s underground garage on May 1, recognized his bike in online listings nearly a month later. Despite providing proof of ownership and seller details to Peel and Halton police, Valiente said authorities warned it would take time to obtain a search warrant.
Fearing his bike would vanish, Valiente went to the seller’s address with his brother and confronted him. After confirming the VIN, Valiente reclaimed his dismantled motorcycle, valued at around $5,000, though it was missing its engine, fairings, and lights.
Halton police eventually arrived on scene and had the vehicle towed — using a truck that charged Valiente $350. No charges have been laid so far, and the investigation remains ongoing with Peel Regional Police.
Police stressed that victims should never attempt property recovery on their own, instead urging them to contact law enforcement to handle such cases safely and legally.
Valiente is now left with bike parts and no insurance coverage to recover his financial loss, but says he’s speaking out to raise awareness about the growing issue of vehicle theft and online resale scams.