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INUVIK
Arctic Rim Power Sports on Franklin Road was broken into sometime between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Joe Lavoie, co-owner of Arctic Rim Sports Store and Home Hardware, says repeated break-ins are expensive, not only in lost merchandise. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

Part owner Joe Lavoie estimates at least $10,000 worth of merchandise was stolen in the robbery, including Oakley sunglasses, helmets and a signed hockey jersey that was meant to be auctioned off at a gala fundraiser for the Children First Society.

"Terry (Lehoux, manager of the store) discovered it Saturday morning," said Lavoie.

"He called the RCMP and they came in and took fingerprints."

It's not only the theft of the merchandise that adds up, according to Lavoie.

He estimates he's spent between $100,000 and $150,000 on damaged doors.

"I don't know how many of them I've replaced," said Lavoie.

Lavoie said the doors to the sporting goods store had been pried open, something that takes a lot of force, indicating it wasn't just kids or teenagers that decided to break in.

The stolen hockey jersey was signed by San Jose Sharks player Joe Thornton and was going to be auctioned off in November.

"It could have brought in a lot of money for the society," said Lavoie.

"It's a bit of a let down, it was going to be donated to a good cause."

This is not the first robbery at the location.

Lavoie said he's aware the location is a little isolated and it's the time of year where it starts getting darker.

"The isolation kind of lends itself to people prying around. It's also a tough economic situation right now," said Lavoie.

"Unfortunately, you're going to see an increase in crime."

Lavoie said over the years different security systems have been tried, but he's not averse to trying more.

"We'll beef up all our security systems," he said. "We'll ask the question, 'How can we reinforce things?'"

But Lavoie said he knows if people want to break in they'll find a way.

"It's not good for the community," he said.

"If this continues eventually it'll affect someone's decision to stay in the community," said Lavoie.

"That or someone might decide to move their business somewhere else."

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