Lisa Scott
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 28/05) - Old Airport Road businesses are being urged to step up security measures in the wake of four break-ins this week.

Yellowknife RCMP responded to break and enters at three businesses and one residence along the commercial strip in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

An unknown amount of money was stolen and the buildings were damaged by what police think may be two suspects.

The investigation is ongoing, but no charges were laid as of Wednesday.

"We have stepped up patrols in those areas," says Sgt. Darcy Fleury of the RCMP.

The RCMP are urging businesses to beef up security and not to leave cash on the premises at night.

Doug Witty, a city councillor and owner of Force One on the strip said he felt fortunate that his business wasn't targeted this time.

He wasn't so lucky in August of 2004 after thieves broke windows to get into the boat and snowmobile store after hitting a slew of businesses all in one night.

"We have a fairly extensive security system here, so that's our number one stop-gap to catch them or deter them," says Witty. The last rash of break-ins turned out to be drug related, he says.

As for whether or not the break-ins are related to those last summer, Fleury said it's too early to speculate.

"The investigation needs to be further down the road before we can make those determinations," he says.