Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iglulik (Nov 25/02) - Iglulingmiut are upset that police have not made an arrest in connection with an armed robbery that took place in the hamlet nearly three months ago.

On Sept. 1, a suspect pointed a shotgun at a cashier at the Igloolik Co-op and then fled with $2,000 in cash.

Mayor Elijah Evaluarjuk said Wednesday morning that many residents thought the perpetrator would commit a similar offence if police did not make an arrest.

"Overall, people are frustrated that nobody has been arrested. Armed robbery is a big thing," said Evaluarjuk.

"Suppose (the suspect) accidentally pulled the trigger."

Evaluarjuk said the matter was especially frustrating given that community residents all seem to believe they know who robbed the store.

"It seems like everybody knows who it was. That person's name is always coming up," he said.

The mayor said he asked the RCMP to bring in an officer from Iqaluit to work specifically on solving the crime, but police reassured Evaluarjuk the investigation was under control.

When contacted at the detachment, Cpl. Perry Bielert said the incident was "still being actively investigated" and that police "were still following up leads."

"We're encouraging the public to come forward with any information even if they feel it's minor in nature," said Bielert.

He refused to say, however, if RCMP had identified suspects in the community of some 1,300 residents.

In the matter involving a house fire that appears to have been deliberately set on Oct. 2 in the community, Bielert said he hoped to lay charges some time this week. A 35-year-old woman who lived at the residence was treated for minor burns. She also lost the contents of her home during the incident.