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Snowmobile thefts in Yellowknife are being reported as the snowy season has arrived. - NNSL file photo

Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Friday, November 21, 2008

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Police are warning residents to secure their snowmobiles after a rash of thefts in the city.

A press release issued on Friday stated there have been three snowmobile thefts over the past few weeks.

"We wanted to get that out right away," said RCMP Const. Kathy Law. "Right now (the thefts are from) just the two areas, the downtown and Range Lake area."

She said no specific model of snowmobile is being targeted.

In most cases snowmobiles have been left unsecured or secured only by a chain. The police stress snowmobile owners should take extra precautions to guard against thefts.

Police suggest thwarting thieves by making snowmobiles completely inoperable. They recommend removing spark plugs or the belt of the vehicle, and instead of chains owners can purchase track locks.

The Mounties also suggest keeping a record of the snowmobile's serial number, make, model and any custom feature that could be used to better identify the vehicle.

Taking a picture of the vehicle would also be helpful in case police need to later identify it.

Yellowknife RCMP ask anyone with information concerning stolen or abandoned snowmobiles to contact the detachment or Crime Stoppers.