If Lloyd Thrasher is to be believed, the notorious criminal has turned over a new leaf and his street-side bike-selling enterprise is a legitimate business.

That's what Thrasher says as angry commentators on Facebook accuse him of stealing bikes, or parts of them, after pictures on social media began to circulate showing him selling bicycles on a downtown street.

Thrasher, 30, has more than 40 criminal convictions, many of them for theft and break-and-enter-related crimes.

Last November, Thrasher was sentenced to 11 months in jail after he tried to enter a woman's home while she was still inside. After his arrest, he threatened to decapitate the officer who was interviewing him and rape and kill his dog.

Thrasher insists he found the bikes SA国际影视传媒� or the parts to build them SA国际影视传媒� and there is nothing illegal about what he is doing.

SA国际影视传媒淚f there's frames sitting somewhere SA国际影视传媒� in the ditch, in the garage; if it's rusted up and old, I'll take it and revamp it,SA国际影视传媒� said Thrasher when Yellowknifer caught up with him last week as he sold bikes from a parking lot on 52 Avenue across the street from Bruno's Pizza.

A young woman bought a Supercycle bike for $40 while Yellowknifer spoke with him.

He maintains he runs an honest and legal business.

SA国际影视传媒淏efore I do anything with the bikes, I take them and I run them through the and make sure they're not stolen or lost. If they give them back, then they're essentially mine,SA国际影视传媒� said Thrasher.

But back online, where one Facebook post has garnered hundreds of comments SA国际影视传媒� including SA国际影视传媒淚 think the bike second from the right is mine!SA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� many aren't buying Thrasher's claim that his business is by-the-book.

The original poster is one of them.

SA国际影视传媒�I was just feeling bad for the people who own the bikes because I know how expensive they are and they actually work hard to get the bikes,SA国际影视传媒� the woman said, who asked not to be identified.

I just donSA国际影视传媒檛 think thatSA国际影视传媒檚 right.SA国际影视传媒�

A new bike everyday

The woman said she often sees Thrasher with a new bike everyday. She believes he steals bike parts before reassembling them, leaving bicycles unrecognizable to their owners.

Allegations made online related to Thrasher's curbside bike sale have not been tested in court.

Last month, Yellowknifer reported a woman's calls for the City of Yellowknife to step in and address bike theft after her daughter's bicycle was stolen twice in one year. The mother suggested installing pay-to-use bike cages or using an online database to register and track bicycles.

While most online commentators agreed something needed to be done, some urged empathy and compassion over anger.

SA国际影视传媒淚'm not one to judge. I know (Thrasher) has led a very hard life, and the system has failed him but he really does need to be off the streets,SA国际影视传媒� one commentator weighed in.

The woman who snapped the photos of Thrasher agrees.

SA国际影视传媒淚 know that heSA国际影视传媒檚 been in and out of jail. I donSA国际影视传媒檛 think sending him to jail would help him SA国际影视传媒� but he definitely does need to get some help.SA国际影视传媒�

In an email to Yellowknifer, Const. Matt Halstead stated police attended Thrasher's bike sale on Aug. 12 and SA国际影视传媒渆ngaged the individual.SA国际影视传媒�

But because SA国际影视传媒渃ommercial activities in the city are subjected to municipal bylaws,SA国际影视传媒� Halstead said notice of the activity was passed along to the city's Municipal Enforcement Division (MED).

wouldn't comment on what their discussion with Thrasher entailed.

SA国际影视传媒淢ED is aware of this complaint and officers were sent to the area several times since August 12. They have not yet witnessed this activity,SA国际影视传媒� stated city spokesperson Iman Kassam in an email.

SA国际影视传媒淎nyone who conducts business in Yellowknife is required to have a business licence and if they want to conduct business on City property they need permission from the SAO,SA国际影视传媒� Kassam stated, adding MED doesn't deal with property theft.

Halstead added are aware of the information circulating on social media and SA国际影视传媒渢he recent bike theftsSA国际影视传媒� in Yellowknife.

SA国际影视传媒淚n relation to these incidents, our officers are continuing their patrols and we continue to investigate complaints that are reported to the ,SA国际影视传媒� stated Halstead.

But the woman who captured the bike sale on camera wants to see law enforcement do more to confront the issue of bike theft in general.

SA国际影视传媒淟ike help finding the owners of the stolen bikes instead of just letting them get away with it, because there's a ton of bikes going missing,SA国际影视传媒� she said.

Halstead said Yellowknife Mounties are following policy.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Yellowknife detachment often receive found property, including bicycles. These are dealt according to policy (retained for 60 days and returned to its legitimate owner, to the finder if not claimed, or disposed of). Citizens are encouraged to verify with the detachment if their property has been lost or stolen as it may have been turned in by a citizen.SA国际影视传媒�

urge residents to lock up their property, record serial numbers, take photos of their bikes and report any suspicious activity to police.

- With files from Ezra Black