Yellowknife (Apr 18/03) - Two more youths have been sentenced in connection with a snowmobile theft ring.

Earlier this month, a 16-year-old was sentenced to 18 months probation and ordered to pay $6,000 in restitution for stealing one snowmobile and taking another without the owner's consent.

Monday in youth justice court, two more teenagers age 15 and 16, were sentenced for their part in the thefts.

Beginning in late November, RCMP began receiving reports of stolen snowmobiles.

Police got their first break in the case when a cross-country skier told police three snowmobiles were stashed in the bushes around Kam Lake.

RCMP caught two youths driving the stolen snowmobiles.

The RCMP's subsequent investigation, which included a confidential tip from the public, led to a list of suspects.

The 15-year-old youth was called into the detachment with his mother.

He admitted to stealing several snow machines. One machine, which he started with a tether key, has never been found.

The youth also stole three more machines. He was found in possession of one. He hot wired another -- which was located with $2,175 in damages.

Another stolen machine, purchased by the owner for about $11,200 was not insured and never recovered.

Judge Brian Bruser pointed out the new Youth Justice Act prohibits him from incarcerating the youth. "I wish I could."

The judge sentenced him to 18 months probation, and ordered him to pay his share of the restitution costs -- almost $6,600.

The youth, who enjoys riding and repairing snow machines, was ordered not to operate a snow machine for the next 18 months. He can still fix the machines.

Another teenager, whom Bruser called the first youth's "partner in crime," pleaded guilty to two counts of snowmobile theft on New Year's Day. Bruser gave the 16-year-old one year probation and ordered him to pay $907 in restitution. He must do 40 hours of community service work.

Two more youths face charges in connection with the case. One of them appeared in court Monday and pleaded not guilty to two counts of theft and two counts of breaching his undertaking.

He also successfully applied to change the conditions of his release, allowing him to leave the Northwest Territories to attend snowmobile camp and his sister's graduation ceremony this month in British Columbia.