Dawn Ostrem
Northern News Services

Norman Wells (Nov 05/01) - Police in Norman Wells are still searching for a person or people who broke into Sahtu Helicopters and stole fuel caps between Oct. 19 and 20.

John Buckland, of Great Slave Helicopters, is offering a reward to anyone who knows who tampered with helicopters in Norman Wells. -- Dawn Ostrem/NNSL photo

The damage and theft were not significant, said police and a company spokesperson, but the nature of it was worrisome.

"It was not terrorism or anything like that," said Const. Harvey Pierrot. "It was not a random act of vandalism either ... They wanted to take the helicopters out of service."

One helicopter was inside a hangar while three others were sitting outside. The fuel caps were stolen off each of them and there was some minor denting to the tail of the helicopter in the hangar.

Pierrot said snow blew into the tanks, in which no fuel was siphoned from, and the helicopters were taken out of service for a few days to be checked over.

"The helicopters are now back in service," said John Buckland. He is the acting operations manager for Great Slave Helicopters, which Sahtu Helicopters is a subsidiary company of.

Pierrot said anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crimestoppers.

Buckland said Great Slave Helicopters is also offering an undisclosed monetary reward for any information leading to the arrest of anyone found to have tampered with the aircraft.