Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Norman Wells (Oct 29/01) - Police in Norman Wells are investigating an incident in which four helicopters were "tampered with," according to the company's operations manager.

Sahtu Helicopters is a subsidiary company of Great Slave Helicopters. It's acting operations manager said the incident caused him concern.

"We are definitely tightening up security," John Buckland said. "We are hoping something will come up so we know what type of person we are dealing with."

The incident happened sometime between Oct. 19 and 20. Buckland believes the hangar was entered through a door where one helicopter was sitting. The other three were outside.

Buckland did not say what was taken since the incident is still under investigation but the dollar value was less than $1,000.

"There was very little damage as far as a money amount," said John Buckland, from his office in Yellowknife. "But it is a concern for us because we don't know exactly what was done."

"There was essentially no damage but a few things were removed," he added last week. "We are currently inspecting all the aircraft."

Great Slave Helicopters plans to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.