Jennifer McPhee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Jan 14/02) - City businesses suffered from a rash of break and enters in November and December.

Among the businesses hit were Baffin Optical, Sub-Zero, Wizard's Cafe and the Navigator Inn.

According to RCMP Sgt. Michael Jeffrey, 23 break and enters took place on business premises in November. Just 10 happened during the same month last year.

The average for each year, however, is about the same.

Jeffrey said usually one person commits multiple offences until they get caught.

As the result of a tip, a young woman was arrested in December and found responsible for at least three of the incidents.

Jeffrey said thieves often look for money, carvings and liquor.

Wayne Hudson, co-owner of Sub-Zero, said someone smashed a hole in his front-door window last month. Whoever it was stole his cell phone and a fist full of chocolate bars, and peeled a few bingo tickets off his stack.

Hudson called the cell phone. "I got some drunk guy on the phone and the next day it was disconnected."

"I think it was just a couple of kids up to no good, just doing it for fun," said Hudson.