Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Thursday, August 09, 2007

Fort Simpson - The RCMP in Fort Simpson is investigating a rash of break-ins at the Seven Spruce Golf Course's clubhouse and the community pool.

Both facilities were broken into twice between July 23 and 31, said Const. Cindy Bowring.

The first break-in occurred at the clubhouse sometime between the late hours of July 23 and the early morning of July 24. The perpetrators pried open the security blind on one of the rear windows on the building and smashed the window.

Using a patio chair from the deck, the thieves climbed into the building and stole a few flats of Kokanee and Coors Light beer worth approximately $150, said Bowring. The break-in was reported on July 25.

Bowring said the RCMP suspect the crime is linked to a break-in at the pool that was also reported on July 25.

At the pool a person or group of people broke into the building through the wooden shutters on the south end and stole approximately $20 from the cash box and left behind a can of Kokanee.

A trail of beer cans was also found starting at the golf course clubhouse and leading towards the pool, she said.

The second break-in at the clubhouse occurred on July 29. A RCMP officer on patrol went past the building at 1 a.m. and upon returning between 2:15 and 2:30 a.m. noticed the break-in.

The perpetrators had gained entrance through the same window and shutter, which hadn't been fixed.

This time they made off with six to eight flats of beer worth approximately $520. None of the supplies of pop or chips in the building were touched.

"Obviously they're in there for a purpose just to get the beer," said Bowring.

Officers traced a trail of beer cans down fairway one, through the bush and across Antoine Drive headed into the village.

The people involved in the second break-in might not be the same as the ones in the first, but they knew about the first case, said Bowring.

"The people who broke in on the 29th knew that window was already smashed," she said.

Alcohol was also involved in the second break-in at the pool on July 31.

The perpetrators broke in through the metal exit door and went swimming, leaving behind a pile of wet clothes. A beer bottle was also found smashed on the pool deck, said Bowring.

In all four cases the RCMP suspect that the crimes were committed by a group of people in their mid-to-late teens.

The RCMP has a few suspects but are looking for information from the public. People can remain anonymous and provide their information to the detachment or Crime Stoppers, she said.

"We're hoping someone will be brave enough to call or come in and trust they'll remain anonymous," said Bowring.

The break-ins at the pool could have had a tragic ending, according to recreation director Andrew Hillaby.

"We're very fortunate that no one drowned," said Hillaby.

Mixing alcohol, swimming and horseplay around a pool has the potential to result in serious injuries, he said. As a result of the incidents, a number of measures have been taken at the facility. The rear screen doors have been rebuilt and secured permanently.

The fire exit door has also been repaired. Brush around the pool has been cleared so there are fewer places to hide, said Hillaby.

Hillaby said he's also looking into installing a video camera at the pool.

At the golf course, these two recent incidents bring the count to three break-ins at the course this summer.

The first case occurred between May 26 and 27 when approximately $1,000 worth of stock including beer and some coolers and $400 in cash was stolen.

"These kids don't realize it's their community too," said Pat Rowe, vice-president of the club.

Although the clubhouse is usually broken into once a summer, three break-ins is unusual, Rowe said.

The golf course can't afford better security measures, he said. The course is already equipped with steel roll-up doors and shutters and the RCMP patrol the area. Rowe said locks only keep out honest people.

"I'm just a little bit disappointed with some of the youth of the community," said Rowe.