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Police seek forfeiture of motorcycle filmed at excessive speeds on Trans-Canada

The Yamaha R1 motorcycle that garnered national attention last month could soon be in the hands of the provincial government.
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Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen stands beside the Yamaha R1 that was seen in a video online travelling along the Trans-Canada Highway at 299 km/h.


The Yamaha R1 motorcycle that garnered national attention last month – when it was seen in an online video speeding from Saanich to Langford at 300 km/h – could soon be in the hands of the provincial government.

Saanich police have yet to charge the man they believe recorded himself riding the bike.

On April 19, police issued $1,449 worth of tickets to the registered owner of the bike (the suspected driver's mother) and they are now seeking to have the motorcycle permanently seized under the Civil Forfeiture Act.

"At this point in time, that is the most we can do," Saanich police Sgt. Dean Jantzen said.

A notice of intent to forfeit was published this week. It reads that the bike was seized because "there was evidence (the motorcycle) would afford evidence in respect to" multiple driving offences, including driving without due care and excessive speeding.

The bike will be forfeited to the Civil Forfeiture Office in two months unless a notice of dispute is filed.

Proceeds from civil forfeitures are used to "compensate victims and support local crime prevention and remediation efforts," according to the Ministry of Justice.

kslavin@saanichnews.com