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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A 19-year-old from Behchoko, identified by his lawyer as a member of a group called the "Tlicho Mafia," will be held in custody until his next court appearance.

Artie Grant Apples appeared before justice of the peace Kevin Dennis on Thursday. Dennis denied defence attorney Peter Fuglsang's request to release Apples until a trial date was set.

Apples and his 16-year-old co-accused, who will be tried as a youth, face 12 charges each relating to several assaults, setting a truck on fire, breaking and entering, theft and mischief.

"The charges allegedly described, if proved, show a wanton disregard against persons and property," said Dennis. "The community of Behchoko's safety is a concern."

Dennis agreed with Fuglsang's speculation that some charges - including scaling a government building - might be "somewhat overkill."

However, he also stressed that the defendant was likely to reoffend, considering the sheer number of charges made against Apples in such a short period of time - five days, the last of which was Apples' birthday, Aug. 25

Crown attorney Marys Nassar said there was graffiti proclaiming "Tlicho Mafia" scrawled inside one building where a break-in occurred.

Apples will appear in Yellowknife Territorial Court on Tuesday to schedule a court date in Behchoko.