Jennifer Geens
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 14/05) - A thief snatched close to $9,000 worth of cameras during an acrobatic early morning break-in yesterday.

The window the thief used to gain entry to Foto Source on Franklin Avenue measures 17 inches by 17 inches and is about seven feet off the ground.

Owner Bob Wilson said the thief was either a "crack addict gymnast" or had somebody to boost them up.

The shop's alarm went off at 5:19 a.m. Wilson assumes the culprit ducked out through the fire door, but not before making off with equipment worth $8,000 to $9,000.

Anyone approached by someone trying to sell a new camera should contact the RCMP, said spokesman Darcy Fleury.

This was Foto Source's first burglary in 10 years. Wilson felt badly that people could be so desperate for quick cash.

"I've lived here 35 years and it's just breaking my heart to see what's happening to this town," he said. He plans to install video cameras and security film on the windows.