POLICE BEAT: Copper wire and building supplies hot commodities
By Erin Perkins
A rash of thefts involving copper wire and building materials hit both Grand Forks and Christina Lake over the past week.
The price thieves can get for the copper wire is making the common household building material a hot commodity – even though the closest place to ditch the stolen scrap metals is in Kelowna.
The first incident happened on Monday, June 18 at the Grand Forks Concrete and Gravel Yard on 6thAvenue. Grand Forks RCMP were called to the property at 1 p.m. that day when it was discovered someone had broken into two cement mixers parked on the property and stolen some copper wiring out of the engine compartment of the vehicle, said Grand Forks RCMP staff sergeant Jim Harrison.
The person or persons caused $1,000 in damage to the vehicles and the police have no suspects or witnesses, said Harrison.
The second incident happened on the same day and was reported to police at 1:30 p.m. That night someone had broken into a barn on Whitehall Road in Grand Forks.
“Nothing was stolen but it appears they were looking for some brass or scrap metal,” said Harrison.
The third incident happened on Friday, June 22 at 10:17 p.m. when police were called to a home on Riverside Drive where a break and enter had happened to a private home undergoing renovations. When police arrived they found there was nobody there but it appeared that someone had gotten into the building and stolen the copper wire construction materials. Police initially had a suspect, but after questioning the person they ruled the suspect out, said Harrison.
If anyone has information about these incidents they are asked to call Grand Forks RCMP at 250-442-8288 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
Thief runs for his life from dog
A pet German Shepherd dog let out for a night time pee gave chase to a thief who was cutting through a fence on a property on 20thStreet in Grand Forks.
Police were called to the property at 4:50 a.m. on Thursday, June 28 for a break and enter in progress. The male, who was wearing a black hoodie and is described as being about 5’ 8” tall (172.72 cm) had cut through the fence on the property, triggering a silent alarm.
But it was the dog who alarmed the thief.
When the dog came out, the thief fled the property.
“The constable followed the man’s tracks through the dew and could see he’d been running at a good clip,” said Harrison.
Although the thief was not caught, his effort to steal anything was thwarted by the dog.
Chainsaw and propane tank stolen in two separate incidents
A chainsaw, model number 170, was stolen from a cargo trailer parked on the Newburg Road in Christina Lake. Grand Forks RCMP attended the scene on Saturday, June 23 at 9:55 a.m. but have no suspects at this time.
A 30 lb (13.6 kg) propane cylinder was stolen from Christina Lake Mechanical on Friday, June 22. The thief took the tank right off a forklift on the property, which is located along Highway 3.
Dodge truck stolen, ATV, trailer and road bike later found abandoned
A white 2007 Dodge D350 pickup truck with dual wheels in the back, an attached trailer with an ATV and road bike were reported stolen from a home in Grand Forks on Tuesday, June 26 at 11:48 a.m.
The trailer containing the ATV and road bike were later located abandoned on Fisherman Creek Road but the truck is still missing.
“If anybody sees (the truck) ditched somewhere please give us a call,” said Harrison.
Golf clubs stolen from broken down vehicle
A set of golf clubs and bag were stolen from a vehicle while it was parked alongside Highway 3 close to the Paulson Bridge sometime during the night of Monday, June 18.
The culprit smashed the window, stole the clubs and fled the scene leaving Grand Forks RCMP with no suspects, said Harrison.
