Founder of Bike’s Patrullen association suspected of bicycle theft and embezzlement

The police investigation into the founder of Oulu’s Bike’s Patrullen cycling association has concluded, with Ilkka Pulkkinen now facing prosecution for multiple offences, Yle reports. Pulkkinen denies the allegations.

Pulkkinen, who gained local recognition for tracking down bicycle thieves, is suspected of aggravated embezzlement, aggravated accounting offences, aggravated theft, and payment fraud. Police also investigated whether to impose a business ban during the pre-trial phase.

According to the police, the investigation found that Pulkkinen allegedly used the association’s funds for purposes unrelated to its activities in 2025. Authorities also confirmed that the association had never maintained proper financial records, and there were irregularities in the use of its bank card.

Pulkkinen is further accused of unlawfully taking possession of bicycles, which were then sold through an Oulu-based work training centre. These actions are being treated as aggravated theft. Two employees of the training centre are also under suspicion for aggravated money laundering, alongside a second board member accused of aggravated embezzlement.

The investigation began in December after reports of financial misconduct within Bike’s Patrullen. Initially, Pulkkinen was the sole suspect, but the probe later expanded to include others. In January, Pulkkinen told Yle he denied the allegations, claiming they stemmed from internal disputes over the association’s funds.