Robbers hit Toonoonik Hotel

IQALUIT — An Iqaluit hotel was struck by a violent robbery last weekend.

In the early morning of March 18, two men in ski masks entered the Toonoonik Hotel, assaulted the night watchman with a weapon and stole an undisclosed amount of cash.

The watchman was hospitalized for his injuries and then released.

Police refused to reveal many details about the robbery, including the amount of money taken and the type of weapon used. They are holding back the information as part of the ongoing investigation, said RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike O’Malley.

O’Malley said police have suspects in the case, but as of Nunatsiaq News press deadlines Wednesday no arrests had been made.

The crime came about three weeks after a different watchman at the hotel, Atchie Kotaigo, reported scaring off two masked men who had entered the building.

O’Malley said the RCMP investigated that incident, but no crime was committed and police had little to go on.

The Toonoonik has suffered more than its share of misfortune. Last winter, four employees stole the hotel safe, dumping it in Apex Creek and making off with $15,000.

The men were quickly arrested and most of the money was recovered.