Yellowknife (Sep 10/04) - Police have arrested a Yellowknife man they believe was at the centre of a number of burglaries that targeted businesses in the city's west end recently.

Shane Edward Elanik, 28, is facing a total of 15 charges, including four counts of break, enter and theft, two counts of theft under $5,000 and six counts of fraud.

The charges relate to break-ins at Sam's Monkey Tree, the Healing Drum Society and a Wildlife and Fisheries office.

RCMP Staff Sgt. Steve McVarnock said they're continuing to investigate other break-ins. The Multiplex and City Garage were burglarized within hours of the Monkey Tree break-in on Aug. 29.

"We believe those incidents are related," said McVarnock.

Charges are pending against another individual, who police believe was involved in a series of break and enters along Old Airport Road the weekend of Aug. 21-23, said McVarnock.

Police said they arrested Elanik on Aug. 30 after they received a tip.

Of the 15 charges, six stem from a mid-August break-in at the Healing Drum Society, where a chequebook was stolen. Several bad cheques later surfaced around Yellowknife.

Investigators are still trying to find several thousands of dollars stolen from an unlocked safe at Sam's Monkey Tree, said McVarnock.

They asked anyone with information about the whereabouts of the cash to contact the RCMP detachment.

"We think one or two people were involved," said McVarnock.

Elanik is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in territorial court Oct. 5.