LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS
RCMP in Norman Wells is making appeals to the public after two separate vehicle thefts from the Norman Wells Airport during the first weekend of November.

RCMP In Norman Wells would like to hear from anyone who has information on this truck crash and is asking the public to stop leaving keys in vehicles at the airport. This vehicle and another were both stolen from the airport during the first weekend of November. Keys were left in both vehicles. - photo courtesy of RCMP

Both vehicles were left unlocked in the parking lot with the keys inside.

One of the vehicles, a pickup truck, was found badly damaged after a somebody apparently crashed it into a guardrail and a fence. RCMP Cpl. Dieter Ludlow of the Norman Wells detachment said police would like to hear from anyone with information on the thefts and the crash.

"When we got the report there was no one on scene but I would expect someone to be injured to a certain degree. As far as we know there have been no reports of injuries (associated with) that accident," said Ludlow. "Both airbags were deployed on the vehicle so common sense would tell you that someone got a knock but whoever it was obviously doesn't want to be known, so they're not going to be walking into the health centre. Someone likely has scrapes or bruises from it but nothing has been confirmed.

"I'm hoping someone in town is going to call and say my buddy at work has a black eye or a cut on his forehead or something like that. I've never been in an accident where airbags deployed but they can cause some damage."

Ludlow said it sounds as though it is not that uncommon for vehicles to be joyridden away from the Norman Wells airport and in most cases, they are returned with damage.

"Owners aren't catching wind of it until a week later when they return from holidays and – no harm no foul – it just never gets reported. They may not even know the vehicle was taken. Both these vehicles were left at the airport for employees who were flying in and they were taken before they had a chance to be picked up. We know about it because this one vehicle was basically written off."

Ludlow said he is also appealing to drivers and companies to avoid leaving vehicles at the airport with the keys in them.

"These two particular trucks would be company-owned vehicles that are left for employees. Basically, employee A is flying out on Monday. He drives the truck to the airport and then employee B is coming in on Wednesday and he's supposed to drive the truck back," he said.

"People coming in from Edmonton or wherever won't have the keys. It's a small-town trust thing and I think you can get away with this nine times out of 10.

"People don't get burned very often but in this particular case they did."

Anyone who has information on the thefts is asked to contact RCMP in Norman Wells or Crime Stoppers.

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