LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - April brought a rash of break and enters to Fort Simpson.

Ten break-ins or attempted break-ins were reported to RCMP between April 7 and April 20. One youth is suspected to be responsible for half of the incidents, said Sgt. Ron Prangnell.

The youth, who can't be named because he's a minor, was held in custody on April 18 and charged with break and enter and breach of release conditions in relation to five incidents. The charges stem from the April 7 and 18 break-ins at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the break-ins at the Deh Cho Friendship Centre on the same nights as well as an April 16 break-in at a residence in Wild Rose Acres.

Aaron McNab, the executive director of the Deh Cho Friendship Centre, stands with the centre's safe that was pried open during a break-in on April 17 or 18. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

The youth was subsequently released on April 20 and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 26, said Prangnell.

Aaron McNab, executive director of the Deh Cho Friendship Centre, said it will cost $4,800 to repair the damages from the most recent break-in.

During the April 17 and 18 break-in, an exterior door frame, two office doors and the commercial quality safe were damaged. Approximately $550 was taken from the safe in addition to the approximately $40 taken in the earlier break-in.

"It's always a pain to deal with," said McNab about break-ins.

"It makes you wonder why they're doing it."

McNab said he is changing the security measures at the centre in response to the two incidents. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources compound is also making changes.

Between Jan. 8 and Jan. 9, the compound, which includes an office building and a warehouse, has been broken into four times. During the incidents the main door along with a gun cabinet and a safe were damaged. All of the doors that were locked or closed were also kicked. Damages are estimated at $10,000, said Carl Lafferty, the regional superintendent.

Following that incident discussions were started about purchasing an alarm system and two gun safes were bought. The department also stopped keeping money on site, Lafferty said.

On April 7, the department's warehouse was broken into. There was minor damage to the door but nothing in the warehouse was removed.

"Getting into the warehouse was a bit disheartening for us," Lafferty said.

The warehouse contains important forest firefighting equipment used to save lives and communities, he said. A second unsuccessful attempt was made on the warehouse on April 8.

An additional break-in on April 18 caused approximately $12,000 damage. Again all of the closed or locked doors in the office were kicked in. The gun safes were also damaged beyond repair but weren't breached, Lafferty said.

The department is planning to install a new security system and fence its compound to prevent from further break-ins. It's a big ticket item but it's necessary, Lafferty said.

The break-ins, which are motivated by a search for cash, hurt the department, which is in the community to serve and help people, said Lafferty.

Other break-ins this month in the village include an attempt on the Northwest Territories Power Corporation on April 17 or 18, a break-in at the Simpson Air office on April 18 and one on a residence in the industrial area on April 20. Investigations are continuing into those incidents and it isn't clear yet if youth were responsible, Prangnell said.

Three youths were arrested in relation to a break-in at Dehcho Hall on April 18. Considerable damage was done to the interior of the building, said Prangnell.

The RCMP encourages the public to report any suspicious activities around the village. Residents are also encouraged to secure their properties, Prangnell said.