RCMP arrested the accused and another 16-year-old inside the home after a neighbor reported hearing noises coming from an apartment. The tenants were away on holidays at the time.

Staff Sgt. Dave Grundy said the youth has been remanded in custody because he just got out of jail a month ago after serving time for break and enter.

Police discovered a pellet pistol at the scene.

"It was never any threat -- they threw the gun on the floor," Grundy said.

Grundy also said carrying the pellet gun may mean a longer jail sentence if there is a conviction.

The 16-year-olds are two of six people (five of them young offenders) charged with break and enter in the last week.

Four other teens were charged following a break and enter at Northern Fancy Meats May 27.

Grundy said that the company reported $7,800 in damage after meats were sprayed with a fire extinguisher.

While this year is no worse than other years, Grundy estimated that 90 per cent of all break-ins in Yellowknife are committed by youth. All six are scheduled to appear in territorial court in late July.