Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

SNOWDRIFT - It has been almost four months, and no one has yet been charged in the theft of about $12,000 in transit to Lutsel K'e.

"It's still actively under investigation," said Const. Brent Dooks, acting commander of the RCMP detachment in Lutsel K'e.

Dooks added it is anticipated a charge will eventually be laid in the case. "But it's taking more time than we anticipated."

The police previously identified about 15 people who had access to the money that was stolen on a journey from a Yellowknife bank to Lutsel K'e on March 28. The majority of the people are in Yellowknife.

Dooks said the police have contacted everyone, but still need to do some follow-up interviews.

Plus, the police plan to use polygraph testing in the investigation.

Dooks declined to say whether the police have a suspect in the theft.

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

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