Police in Iqaluit say these pictures released Thursday show two suspects they say are involved in a series of break-ins over the past four weeks. (Photo courtesy of Iqaluit RCMP)
Legion burglary among 36 break-ins reported in Iqaluit in past 4 weeks
RCMP says it has increased patrols and building checks, urges property owners to be vigilant
This story was updated Nov. 14 at 2:15 p.m.
At 7:30 p.m. on Remembrance Day, the burglar alarm went off again at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 168.
“They stole a couple of boxes of chips and a couple of cases of pop,” said Sharif Ibrahim, the legion’s general manager, estimating the value of the haul to be around $200.
“That’s all they got. The damage was a lot more.”
The thieves committed about $2,500 in property damage to the doorframes and building en route to the canteen, Ibrahim estimated.
“It’s more than one person for sure,” he said. “It’s always two or three people who come in at once with hoods or balaclavas. Crowbars, hammers — they’re coming fully-equipped.”
Video surveillance images shown to Nunatsiaq News show three men Ibrahim estimates to be in their early- to mid-30s entering the building.
Monday night’s break-in was the fourth similar incident at the legion and cadet hall since thieves caused an estimated $30,000 damage to the hall on Aug. 27. That incident delayed the return of the cadet program by more than a month.
The Iqaluit legion branch owns the building that houses First Steps Daycare, which was broken into four times in a span of seven days in October.
Arctic Ventures also experienced a recent break-in, said Duane Wilson, vice-president of stakeholder relations for Arctic Co-operatives Ltd.
“There was a recent break-in resulting in both property damage and theft of product,” he said in an email this week.
There have been 36 reported break-ins in the past four weeks at non-residential buildings in Iqaluit, the RCMP said in a news release Thursday.
Some locations have been targeted multiple times in the past month, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. George Henrie said in the release.
He said police are increasing their overnight presence through patrols and by checking buildings and areas that have been frequently targeted.
Henrie asked people to be diligent in securing their properties, ensure security cameras are in working order, and report to the RCMP any suspicious behaviour they witness or people who are seen to have unexplained large amounts of cash or property.
The break-ins appear to be financially motivated, he said. People should not attempt to confront a person during a break-in, he said, but instead should phone the RCMP emergency line.
“I cannot say if the suspects in the [Legion] photos are related to any other B&E in Iqaluit. There have been no arrests yet,” Henrie said in an email to Nunatsiaq News Thursday.
Note: This story was updated to include new information released by the RCMP
Victim….The RCMP have been very supportive, Reporter to RCMP, lets talk about that, Cpl. Henrie, I don’t want to talk about that.
How are the RCMP being more supportive, what can businesses do to be more proactive in protecting their assets, any updates on basically anything would be be more helpful. No information leaves the door open to conspiracies and misinformation. Their new title should be RCMP non-spokesperson.
Don’t worry, everyone. The Public Safety Committee had a meeting in October. It was the first one since April, so it was an extensive 17 minutes long. They had prioritizing safety concerns on the agenda, and they almost got to it! Maybe at the next meeting in another 6 months.
What do you want the Public Safety Committee to do about this?
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The public safety committee, and the municipal government generally, have NO real input on Criminal law/Policing. During the meeting they mentioned they praised a police initiative regarding drinking, but spent most of the time talking about things that falls under their jurisdiction… the streetlights, piles of wood on property, etc. Just because they mentioned the RCMP doesn’t mean they have any real say on their activities.
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Some could call their comments on the RCMP general and kind praise, some could call it empty pandering. Either way, the Municipality and the Public Safety Committee have no real say or power over policing.
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We the esteemed commentariat of NN have EXACTLY the same level of say and input on what the RCMP should do as the municipality does.
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It’s one understandable thing to be angry, it’s another unforgivable thing to be ignorant and impotent while angry… direct your ire to the right places if you actually care.
I would like the Public Safety Committee to do the job they get paid to do. And to do what’s on their agenda. It is not my job, as I am not paid to be on the committee, but there are things outside of RCMP activities that can help with property crime.
They are paying consultants to look at streetlights instead of maybe installing a couple lights in between the daycare and the back of the legion/cadet hall where there have been a combined 8 break-ins in the last 3 months. There is also no streetlight at the back entrance of the food centre.
Maybe the city could offer a grant or contribution program to businesses in the downtown core to install new/additional security cameras. If enough businesses share security cam footage, maybe you can track where the people are coming from or going?
The committee could discuss broken windows theory and busy streets theory. City green spaces and sidewalks can make a difference. This break-in happened at 7:30pm on a Monday. Community activities and initiatives decrease crime rates. Building community ties and improving social connectedness decreases crime rates.
These are all things that could at least be discussed in some way to improve public safety regarding property crime.
I’m reporting you to the Public Sarcasm Committee!
We’re going to trace your IP address or something, anything to bring you to justice for your disrespect!
How low can these thugs go? They need a serious whoopin.
i think iqaluit is out of ( whoop ass Can ) case of woop ass cans was stolen and nothing can be done, why can man be real man and whoop these skinny guys ? lookat them? they are a real joke. makes me mad that no one is man enought to teach them a lesson, i guess what i mean is: i am tired to see our town getting worse and people allway’s being victims, any one else tired of that as well ?
Time for RCMP to start charging these theives. This is getting out of hand
Well the local RCMP is being outsmarted by these thieves. If anyone from the public knows anything, tell them! Enough is enough, embarrassing criminals, low life decisions.
Hope they are caught soon!
Lots of rifles, tools and camping gear have been getting stolen in town and are likely the same crowd of people doing these break ins.
Lots of these thieves are repeat offenders getting arrested and somehow released on bail to go terrorize town some more. Very supportive of the law.
have you checked Uquutaq ? … may recognize someone there .
One break in per day. This gang of criminals is mocking the RCMP.
Somebody should be able to recognize the face clearly visible for everyone to see, no?
I imagine that if they broke into my house, and I introduced them to my friend from Louisville, I would be the one in trouble. The last time our house was broken into we had the guy on camera, still waiting. Its been a couple of years. When my office at worked was ransacked they had the guys on camera, knew who they were; we wern’t allowed to know their names, or when there court date was. Never ever received my stuff back. It has just gotten worse.
The law protects criminals, not victims.
It’s time to put these guys away for a long time, this is ridiculous, I could go find these low life’s easily, but what’s the sense, they won’t get anything for committing crimes.
THE LAW NEEDS TO CHANGE up here in this wasteland of criminals running free.
this is why we, security guards get paid to do our job, to prevent: theft,vandalism and fire.