Cops arrest 20-year-old man in connection with Iqaluit thefts

An RCMP vehicle is parked outside Iqaluit’s Parnaivik building Oct. 15. (PHOTO BY THOMAS ROHNER)

Police arrested a 20-year-old Iqaluit man Oct. 16 in connection with a break-in and theft earlier in the week at the city’s Parnaivik building.

Police in Iqaluit have been investigating a series of break-ins and thefts around the city’s downtown core this month.

The night of Oct. 14, at least one person broke into the Parnaivik building, which houses multiple business and government offices, and made away with items worth several tens of thousands of dollars, RCMP said.

The stolen items included computers, other electronics and artwork, the majority of which were returned to staff at various Parnaivik offices Oct. 16.

The man arrested Oct. 16 now faces 11 charges in connection with the Oct. 14 incidents, RCMP spokesperson Yvonne Niego said.

Niego couldn’t say if any of those charges are connected to other recent thefts in Iqaluit.

RCMP continue to investigate the break-ins, but Niego wouldn’t say if police are looking for other suspects.

Police said earlier this week that those responsible for the break-ins are likely experienced and suggested they used disguises to hide their identities from security cameras and tools to open locked doors.

Because not all the stolen items have been recovered, RCMP are asking Iqalungmiut to keep their eyes open for suspicious sales of second-hand items and to alert police to any possible break-ins by calling 979-0123.