Shop with alleged gang ties stripped of licence in Kelowna

A bike and automotive shop in West Kelowna, B.C., has been stripped of its business licence for alleged ties to gangs and criminal activity.

Mounties raided Cycle Logic in August, and say they found stolen cars, bikes and boats. Police also allege the shop was a hub for the Hells Angels, as well as local gangs the Throttle Lockers and Kingpin Crew.

West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater says it's not the kind of business the community needs. 

"The information that we had is that this business is allegedly a hub for at least storing a lot of stolen property, and that’s an undesirable activity as far as council is concerned," he said.

"It’s obviously not something that is desirable to our community to have a place full of stolen property in the middle of a business district."

Cycle Logic owner John Newcome is facing 22 charges, including possession of stolen property and trafficking stolen property. He has yet to appear in court.

Newcome declined interview requests from CBC News, but did say the shop would not be closing.

It appears a similar company called Priest Valley Speed bought out Cycle Logic a month ago, and Cycle Logic's owner operates that company’s Facebook page.

The city says a new business licence for a related auto shop at the same location filed Wednesday morning is being reviewed.