Yellowknife (Apr 26/06) - Missing for 30 hours, a 20-year-old man was found suffering from mild hypothermia after running out of gas on his snowmobile near Screech Lake on Saturday.

Yellowknife RCMP received the report on April 21 via a satellite phone, informing them the man was missing from the Aurora Geo-Science research camp at Screech Lake, about 120 nautical miles east of Lutsel K'e.

He was returning from a snowmobile trip to check on a worksite about six kilometres west of the camp with another man when weather conditions deteriorated.

He became separated from the other man and ran out of gas.

Air search operations were delayed because of poor weather conditions. Ground search efforts started immediately, but were unsuccessful.

The next day at approximately 8:38 p.m., the man was spotted by volunteers aboard a Great Slave Helicopters search helicopter.

The man, in relatively good condition despite the long wait outdoors, was then transported to Yellowknife via an Air Tindi Twin Otter.

Const. Colleen Werrell said the man was dressed properly and had experience with winter survival.

Although weather conditions appear spring-like in the region, Werrell said that is no indication of what it will be like in the bush.

"And it can change quite rapidly. It can get quite cold at night."

The man's name will not be released.

Assault charge pending

Yellowknife RCMP received reports of 13 assaults since April 17, according to Const. Werrell.

One charge is pending against an 86-year-old man after a complaint of a spousal assault against a 49-year-old woman.

Police are continuing their investigation.

Break-ins reported

Several break and enters at businesses and residences were reported to Yellowknife RCMP over the past week. One, reported at the airport gift shop, resulted in a quantity of money missing.

A break-in also was reported at a residence, where thieves entered an unlocked garage and stole two six-packs of beer.

At another residence, an alarm apparently scared away culprits after a back patio door was opened. The owner, who was away at the time, reported no items had been stolen. Police have no suspects at this time.

At another Yellowknife residence, a front door was kicked in.

"A note was left uttering threats to the residence owner's son," said Const. Werrell.

Man makes threats

A 41-year-old man has been charged with uttering threats. He will appear in territorial court at a later date.