The local police are looking into a number of break and enters and thefts that occurred on the weekend despite apprehending two suspects.
There were four break and enters to homes, a utility trailer, and a bicycle theft, say Prince Rupert RCMP.
On Saturday, March 5, entry was gained into a home on the 400 block of 5th Avenue East through an unlocked basement door. Approximately 500 pounds of foreign currency were taken, along with two gold wedding bands and two female watches. One of the wedding bands is plain, while the other has a bear insignia.
On Sunday, March 6, a home in the 100 block of Gull Crescent was broken into at approximately 9 a.m. The front door knob, which did not have a dead bolt, was compromised by a tool, and a number of items were reported stolen. Police are looking for a 13" bow knife with black sheath casing, a 18K gold necklace with gold cross and solid gold heart, a gold ring, a 1965 Rolex wrist watch, an 80GB Ipod with micro rock shop engraving, and a Dell quad core wide screen laptop in a black case. An eyewitness saw a male leaving the home at approximately 9:30 a.m., wearing a dark jacket with a hoody pulled over his head, with a backpack and a black case.
About an hour later the same day, a home in the 200 block of Prince Rupert Blvd was broken into in the same manner. It is unknown if any items were stolen, as the suspect was interrupted when the home owner arrived home and caught the male suspect in his bedroom. The suspect fled the scene on foot, and the police dog was called out but did not manage to locate the suspect. The male suspect is described as approximately 30 years old, 5'7" tall of slender build wearing a blue ski jacket with grey stripes across the shoulders and dark pants.
Sometime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. a black Norco Wolverine bicycle with bright lime green pedals was stolen from MacDonalds. It was locked up at the time it was stolen and the lock had been cut.
A third home was broken into on Sunday at approximately 2:30 p.m. on the 400 block of 11th Avenue East in the same manner as the other two Sunday break ins. A ladies gold ring, a black YPR 3 in 1 winter jacket, and a Grey Dell laptop were taken.
The fourth break and enter occurred Monday, March 7. Police were called to the 900 block of 11th Avenue East at 3:37 a.m., where two males were seen breaking into a utility trailer by cutting the lock with bolt cutters.
The two male suspects fled on bicycles, but officers intercepted the two near Alfred Street where they were arrested without incident. The males had in their possession a Mikita brand grinder and skill saw, both believed to be inside the utility trailer and stolen by the two males. Two bicycles as well as bolt cutters and a flashlight were also seized from the males.
One male who cannot be named at this time was released late on March 7 on a promise to appear, and will have his first appearance May 9. The second male, 28-year-old Timothy Vernon Adam Gagnon of Masset, B.C., was released by a justice of the peace with four charges related to the mischief of the utility trailer and placed on various conditions. His first court appearance is April 18.
The Prince Rupert RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance to recover the stolen items, saying that typically the items are sold downtown on the street to anyone who will purchase the items for cash.
If approached to purchase these items, the public is asked to call the Prince Rupert RCMP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222- TIPS.
Police are unsure if Gagnon is responsible for the break and enters to the homes as well the mischief to the utility trailer. These investigations are being treated independently with the possibility that they are connected with one another.