Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 11/01) - Two Arviat residents are in custody in Iqaluit after their relatives thwarted their arrest by police at a local restaurant 11 days ago.

On June 30, Arviat RCMP went to the Grub Box restaurant in response to a call that two men were drunk and causing a disturbance inside the restaurant. According to Corp. Steve Pritchett, relatives confronted police and the officers backed down.

"The officers didn't want to get into a physical confrontation," said Pritchett, adding that no weapons were used.

Luke Pingushat, 19, and Vernon Kritaqliluk, 26, are now both charged with resisting arrest, uttering threats and being drunk in a public place.

Kritaqliluk was charged with assaulting a police officer and Pingushat was charged with obstructing a police officer.

Arviat is a dry community.

Four RCMP officers from Rankin Inlet went to Arviat to help in the police's second, and successful, attempt at the arrests.

Pritchett said they were called in to help in the transportation of the accused men, who have a history of violence.

A rash of crimes arrived with the summer in Arviat this year. In the past two weeks, police have investigated 10 break-ins, to both homes and businesses.

"There have been several charges laid (in connection to the break-ins)," said Pritchett. "Both young offenders and adults."

Pritchett, who arrived in Arviat on June 31, said the community is quiet and the recent outbreak was triggered by a few individuals.

"It seems a few people were recently released from correctional facilities and they're back doing the same old things they usually do," said Pritchett.

Kritaqliluk and Pingushat were recently charged in connection with a police attack two weeks ago.

They face Iqaluit court in September.