Yellowknife (Aug 25/06) - Police believe at least two youths could be behind a recent spate of vandalism that included two break-ins and a window-smashing at the town library.

The first incident was reported on Friday morning, when librarian Dwayne Drescher arrived at work.

Librarian Dwayne Drescher looks at damage done to the front doors of the Inuvik library. The window was broken late last week. The vandalism is only a part of a string of incidents that have the RCMP investigating several leads, with two youth in custody. - Dez Loreen/NNSL photo

"I was just about to open the door when I noticed the broken glass," said Drescher.

One of the windows on the front door of the library had been shattered.

"I'm assuming it was kids, because of the message they left behind," said Drescher.

A profanity was written in black marker on the other window of the door.

"It was written backwards so you could read it from the inside," said Drescher.

After calling the police, Drescher asked if he could remove the graffiti from the window.

"We were about to open and I didn't want anyone reading it. It was offensive," he said.

Drescher said he has had enough of the vandalism.

"This was pointless," he said. "I don't know why anyone would do this. Maybe these people were kicked out from the library."

Cpl. Dino Norris of the Inuvik RCMP said the incident is one of a few that is under investigation.

In the early hours of Monday morning, RCMP were alerted by a burglar alarm at the Royal Canadian Legion.

Two youth were arrested at the scene. Police recovered a large amount of stolen liquor, cigarettes and snack foods.

"Those two individuals are now faced with charges for break and entering," said Norris.

The Rapid Travel office on Mackenzie Road was also broken into on Monday morning.

"I got to work and the back door was open and a replacement window was broken," said Sherry Rioux, an employee of the travel agency.

Rioux said a safe was taken from the office and smashed in some bushes behind the building. Among the items stolen from the safe were a laptop computer and a large amount of cash.

"We had a lot of cash in the safe, from a beer gardens that we did last week," she said.

The RCMP removed the safe and plywood was put over the windows that morning.

Rioux wants answers about why onlookers didn't report the break-in earlier. "I was told by someone across the street that they saw the damage a few hours earlier," said Rioux. "I won't say who this person is, but they should have reported it then."

Norris said police have identified suspects in connection to the break and enter at Rapid Travel. "We are currently looking into different leads, but have some suspects," he said.

Norris wants to see more co-operation from the community in circumstances like this.

"If you have any information, or see anyone destroying property, call the RCMP," said Norris. He said there may be a connection between the break-ins at the travel agency and Legion, but not the library mischief.