Yellowknife (Feb 22/06) - A city councillor says teenaged snowmobile thieves are "terrorizing" the city.

Coun. Doug Witty was outraged Monday after learning a 14-year-old arrested in connection with a third snowmobile theft has been released from custody.

Force One mechanic Thomas Dumont has worked on many snowmobiles damaged because they were stolen. Police say they suspect a small group of teens are behind many of the 37 thefts of snowmobiles this year. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

"The individuals responsible are young offenders. Is there no way to detain these youth?" Witty asked RCMP Insp. Roch Fortin during a council committee meeting Monday.

"They have zero respect and are hiding behind the (Youth Criminal Justice Act)."

Since the start of 2006, 37 snowmachines have been stolen, including 16 in February.

Const. Colleen Werrell said police suspect the thefts are the work of a small group of teens who go "joyriding" on stolen snowmobiles. Most of the machines have been recovered, although most have also been damaged.

In committee, Witty said the damage could total "$250,000."

The 14-year-old was arrested on the weekend and released under the most strict conditions available to the court: a curfew and weekend house arrest.

According to Werrell, youths can only be held in custody under "extraordinary circumstances."

A second teen arrested at the same time has been ordered to meet with the community Justice Committee. There, he will face his parents, the victims, and community members to discuss the crime.

According to Fortin, this is one of the alternatives available for RCMP officers in the Youth Criminal Justice Act to prevent giving a minor a police record.

So far this year, 10 youth have been charged in connection with snowmobile thefts, said Fortin.

"I hear the concern," said Fortin, telling council that six RCMP officers have also had their machines stolen.

He said police have gone on the offensive, warning people to secure their machines and by doing more patrols and asking municipal enforcement officers to keep a lookout.

Witty said in addition to the damage done to the snowmobiles, one person has been seriously injured: The man who was bit by the police dog when he helped police track down suspected snowmobile thieves.

Coun. Bob Brooks wondered whether there was a way to hold the young thieves accountable for the damage done.

"Can we do civil action against the parents?"

Fortin said theft victims should write up a victim impact statement, which will be considered when someone is sentenced.

The RCMP encourage people to keep snowmobiles in locked sheds or garages, or to secure the snowmobile with heavy-duty chains or cables.