Fort Smith RCMP are advising the public after a handgun, a vehicle and other “intervention items” were stolen in what police say are two separate incidents.
On Saturday around 4:00 am, Fort Smith RCMP responded to a call about a vehicle on fire at a local soccer field. RCMP and the Fort Smith Fire Department responded and the fire was extinguished.
There was extensive damage to the “side-by-side” all-terrain vehicle, and the RCMP began an investigation into the alleged arson.
Later that same day, around 1:30 p.m, the RCMP got a report about a break and enter at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) compound on the highway in Fort Smith. RCMP attended the scene, where two buildings had been broken into. Several things were stolen, including a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle, two collapsible batons, one set of handcuffs, two flare guns, two to four cans of oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, between eight and 12 boxes of 180 grain Winchester 30-06 rounds of ammunition.
Police say the missing side-by-side ATV was later identified as the one in the vehicle fire from the earlier call.
“On their own, the individual items would not be a cause for concern. Collectively, this represents a potential threat to the safety and security of residents and first responders. We need the public’s help to locate these items,” states Marie York-Condon, Northwest Territories RCMP Media Relations.
Two days later on Monday August 27, Fort Smith RCMP received a report of a theft at a home in Fort Smith. Police say the theft happened sometime between August 1 and August 15. Items reported missing from the home include a TV, an iPad, a laptop and collectable coins. One of the residents had possession of a Browning Challenger handgun, which is also now missing.
RCMP are asking residents of Fort Smith and other communities in Northwest Territories are asked to be on the lookout for the missing items, as they may surface in the community.
“With the delay in receiving the information, our investigators have little to go on in locating the stolen items, York-Condon states.
“The missing handgun is of concern, as it can be a dangerous weapon. We are asking the public to be alert for any possible sighting of a handgun, or if someone finds one, please report it to your RCMP for proper removal and storage.”
“While the two incidents do not appear to be related, we are concerned that there are potentially dangerous items that have been taken and are not accounted for. We encourage the residents of Fort Smith to be vigilant and report any unusual or suspicious activity,” she says.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact Fort Smith RCMP at 867-872-1111 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, nwtnutips.com, (click on “submit a web tip”) or text: nwtnutips to 274637.
