Stolen money not the only icing on the cake
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Whale Cove (Mar 07/01) - Some might call the recent break and enter at the Issatik Co-op in Whale Cove the case of the sugar plum criminals.
Others might be more inclined to call it a case of crimnals with a conscience.
Either way, what happened on Feb. 17 was no laughing matter for Bernice Croucher.
When Croucher, the Co-op's manager, entered the store shortly after noon on Feb. 17 to prepare for the 1 p.m. opening, she had no idea just how much work awaited her.
"When the light came on I was totally shocked," says Croucher.
"It was like there was some kind of fine mist floating through the air everywhere.
"It might sound strange coming from someone living up here, but my first thought was, 'Did we have an earthquake?'"
The fine mist turned out to be icing sugar thieves had sprinkled around the store, before leaving with $2,000.
"A big mess. That's the only way to describe it.
"I immediately called the local constable, Simon Enuapik, to get pictures of it before we started cleaning up."
It took five hours to clean the store before Croucher could head home.
Later that evening, another surprise was delivered.
"About 7:45 p.m., I would guess, a faint little knock came on the door.
"At first I thought it was kids out and about, but I thought I had better go look.
"I opened the door, but couldn't see anyone. Then, just as I was going to close the door, I noticed a bag hanging on the outside knob."
Croucher was too scared to open the bag after what had already happened, so Enaupik was summoned again.
He came to the house, opened the bag and inside was the stolen money, minus $252.66.
More than $1,700 had been returned.
The thieves left $998 in silver untouched in the safe and a quantity of cheques.
Footprints were left at the back of the Co-op and at Croucher's residence, leading her to believe RCMP from Rankin Inlet won't have too much difficulty solving the case when they arrive.
"The safe and the back door were demolished with a crow bar, but they left a hammer and fingerprints behind, along with the footprints.
"It had to be more than one person to lift that safe, but, whatever happens, it's a big relief to have most of the money back."
