Jillian Dickens
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 05/05) - A rash of break and enters hit Iqaluit over the summer and police suspect a small group of people "on a rampage" is responsible.

"It's the same people involved; we've just got to catch up to them," said Cpl. Jimmy Akavak.

Akavak believes there are more B&E's this summer compared to last, but does not have hard numbers to support the statement.

"Within the last couple of weeks there has been even more of an increase," he said.

Alcohol, cash, electronics and even clothing are targets for the thieves.

On Aug. 31 a home in Apex was hit and culprits took clothing and electronics. On the same day Quariluk Outfitting and Arctic Cat store was broken into. Police don't know yet what, if anything, was stolen.

Cpl. Stephan Kilabuk says there is "absolutely no limit to where break-ins could occur."

On Aug. 29 both the public health building and the elders community hall were broken into. Culprits stole cash and electronic devices. Three days prior, culprits attempted to bust through both entrances of the Toonoonik Gas Bar near the airport, causing major damage. Failing that they tried entering through the ventilation system but were again unsuccessful.

Baffin Building Systems, Hanson Construction, the library, post office, sea lift compound, and several homes are among the locations broken into during the summer.

Thieves stole alcohol and cash from the Kamotiq Restaurant on three occasions this summer. And they made two more attempts, but were unsuccessful.

Lore and Marcel Mahe built the Kamotiq Restaurant in 1980. Their daughter, Dana, works across the road from the restaurant. "The restaurant is such a target because it's so central - you have to walk past it if you're coming home from the bar," said Mahe.

Kilabuk says several techniques have been used in the various break-ins throughout the summer.

"There's been some clean break-ins and others have been ruthless," he said.

Thieves have resorted to smashing windows, prying open doors, and using stacked garbage cans and ladders to reach second floor accesses.

Police have stepped up night patrols around businesses. They are recommending people lock doors and windows, especially on the ground floor.

Break-in victims shouldn't touch anything before calling police, said Kilabuk.

The increase is limited to Iqaluit.

Kimmirut Cpl. John James says property crime in that community "is not a huge problem."

In Grise Fiord Cpl. Tim Waters witnessed reports of two break-ins this year - one at the hamlet where nothing was taken, and another which was deemed unfounded.

"It's nothing like what's happening in Iqaluit...there's no issue."

In Iglulik, break and enters have actually decreased, according to Const. Michael Simpson.

"It's been a relatively quiet summer," he said. "It may even be lighter than usual."

Iqaluit's break and enter rate has increased since last summer. Police speculate it's the same group of people committing the crimes.

Police have increased patrol of businesses at night to try to curb break-ins.

There were 1,052 Nunavut break-ins during 2004 and 1,020 in 2003.