After a social media post reporting a break and enter caught on a doorbell camera in Yellowknife went viral, the Yellowknife RCMP were made aware of the incident and immediately launched an investigation.
“This social media post was widely shared today and has generated concern from people who have evacuated and, from essential workers who have remained behind,” NWT RCMP Media Relations Officer Corporal Matt Halstead says.
According to reports, a man and woman broken into a residence and were seen walking through yards.
Police launched an investigation and identified the man in the post. RCMP then attended the residence, cleared the building, and located the man and woman from the post sleeping inside.
The RCMP says the 30-year-old man and 23-year-old woman from Yellowknife were arrested and are currently in custody.
“I want to stress that this incident involves a break and enter into the residence one of the suspect’s family members,” Halstead adds.
“No stolen property was located in the residence, and at this time, there is no indication that these people were involved in other break-ins or looting.”
Charges related to unlawfully dwelling in a house are pending against both, and the individuals will leave on evacuation flights and ordered not to return to Yellowknife until the evacuation order is lifted.
Additionally, the Yellowknife RCMP has taken this opportunity to discourage anyone from posting incidents caught on doorbell cameras to social media, instead contacting police immediately as posts such as this can cause further stress to evacuees.
