Inuvik (Sep 29/06) - Employees of the Inuvialuit regional Corporation (IRC) found their building blocked by police tape Monday, as RCMP investigated a break-in.

Constable Noella Cockney, who is investigating the case for the Inuvik RCMP, said it's believed people broke in through the underground parking lot by forcing a door.

"We first heard the call around 6 a.m.," she said.

An officer of the RCMP dusts for fingerprints at the scene of the crime. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

It is believed the perpetrators struck Sunday night, Sept. 24, when no one was in the IRC building.

The IRC building was closed to employees Monday morning.

Yellow tape declared "police line: do not cross."

Forensic officers, visiting from Yellowknife, scoured the scene, looking for fingerprints and other evidence.

"We're also asking in town, seeing if anyone heard anything," Cockney said.

Martin Landry, director of business development, said the IRC building will soon be renovated to ensure this doesn't happen again.

"We're going to be taking a very proactive approach for ensuring the security of the building," he said.

Among the improvements mentioned were a swipe card system and an electric gate, to control access to the underground parking lot.

"This will allow us to stop anyone from getting in," he said.

As of press time, it is not known what - if anything - was stolen during the break-in.

However, Cockney speculated that theft might be a possible motive.

"From what I've seen, the areas of damage were the safes and cashboxes," she said.