Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Spence Bay (Feb 25/02) - A 22-year-old Taloyoak woman faces 19 charges after $28,300 went missing from a local development corporation.

The woman was arrested on Feb. 12 following an RCMP investigation that began in May of 2001. "We had a suspect and once the investigation developed further, we concentrated on her," said Const. Phil Reddy, a police officer in Taloyoak.

The theft, fraud and uttering forged document charges are related to offences alleged to have occurred between Oct. 1, 1999, and June 30, 2000. The money was allegedly stolen from the Arqsaqniq Corporation of Taloyoak, a development corporation with various business interests in the Kitikmeot hamlet.

Reddy said the woman was employed by Lyall Construction at the time the theft occurred. Lyall Construction is one of 16 shareholders in the corporation.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in court March 7 in Taloyoak.