Toronto bike thief Igor Kenk going to jail

A plea deal has ended the massive bike-theft case against Igor Kenk.

The Toronto bike-shop owner pleaded guilty to 16 charges at Old City Hall court on Tuesday, and could be free in a few months. Judge Kathleen Caldwell sentenced Kenk to 30 months in jail, but after time spent awaiting trial is factored in, Kenk’s term will be four months.

"It was the appropriate resolution under the circumstances," said Crown attorney Ruth Kleinhenz. It would have been "quite a feat" to prove all the charges against him, she said.

Kenk’s Queen West bike repair shop, The Bicycle Clinic, was raided by police in the summer of 2008.

A police sting uncovered 2,865 bikes in garages and warehouses throughout the city.

The 50-year-old repair man, a former police officer from Slovenia, was hit with 58 charges relating to bike theft and 22 charges relating to drugs.

About $70,000 worth of marijuana and cocaine was allegedly found in the rented house Kenk shared with classical pianist Jeanie Chung, who also faces drug charges.

Kenk had previously been granted bail, but was arrested on three assault charges in December 2008 and has been in jail since.

Kenk allegedly swung a metal pipe at the owners of a garage he rented.

In June, Toronto police said bicycle thefts were down 17 per cent from the same time last year.