SNOWDRIFT
Northern News Services
Monday, April 23, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The RCMP has identified 15 people who had access to a large amount of money - about $12,000 - that was stolen on a journey from a Yellowknife bank to Lutsel K'e on March 28.

"We have spoken to, or will be speaking to, each of the people who had access to the money," said Const. Brent Dooks, acting commander of the RCMP detachment in Lutsel K'e.

Dooks said 15 people, the majority of whom are in Yellowknife, are a large number of people to speak to in an investigation.

"That's pretty much why it's taking a bit more time than we had hoped for the investigation," he explained.

As of last week, no one person was standing out as a possible suspect in the theft, the constable said.

"That could change with the investigation ongoing."

The money, which is the property of Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, was in a type of cash bag used by banks.

Dooks said the money was withdrawn and was not being transported by the bank.

"It was not the bank's responsibility."

The bag, which arrived with an undisclosed amount of money remaining, was placed on a plane for part of the journey to Lutsel K'e.

The investigation is being assisted by the RCMP's General Investigation Section in Yellowknife.

Dooks said interest in the case is still quite high in Lutsel K'e, but he cautioned against finger-pointing.

The money was to be used to help stage a spring carnival, which went ahead on the March 31 to April 1 weekend.