Between the hours of 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19th an individual stole the Inuvik Fire Department’s 105-foot ladder truck, which was idling outside while Fire personnel were working inside the Fire Hall bays.
Upon discovery of the theft, the Inuvik RCMP and fire personnel conducted a systematic search of the Town and surrounding areas including the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway, the Aklavik Ice Road, and sections of the Dempster Highway in search of the missing vehicle.
Shortly after 10:00 p.m. the Inuvik RCMP received a report of the stolen vehicle observed near Gwich’in Park and therefore expanded their search in that direction.
It was subsequently located north of Tsiigehtchic, which is located 129km south of Inuvik. A 43-year-old male was apprehended on scene and remains in custody.
He is charged with Adult theft of a motor vehicle, Adult operation while impaired while operating a motor vehicle, Adult failure or refusal to comply with the demand and Adult fail to comply with undertaking conditions.
Damage to Inuvik Fire Department Ladder 1 was minimal and it was able to be driven back to the Inuvik Fire Hall in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
It is now undergoing further assessment for damages. Only minor damage has been noted, although its functionality is still being assessed.
No further information is available at this time.
