Whitehorse RCMP have charged two 14-year-old boys for a recent rash of break-ins.
The youth, who cannot be identified because of their age, are believed to have looted at least three homes for alcohol, money and valuables in the past two weeks. They are also believed to have stolen two pickups.
They were arrested on Saturday evening, after Citizens on Patrol identified a Dodge pickup that had been reported stolen from a Whitehorse business that night.
Police found the truck abandoned on the Alaska Highway near Cousins airstrip. The youth broke into a nearby home, then fled into the forest.
But two factors persuaded the culprits to stop fleeing.
“There was snow. And we had a dog,” said Sgt. Mark Groves.
The youth also face charges for break-ins that occurred earlier this month in Porter Creek and Riverdale.
Police received reports of two suspicious teens scouting neighbourhoods for empty homes during the day.
One would knock on the door to see if anyone was home. The other kept watch. If someone answered, they would ask if a certain person lived there and leave, trying not to draw suspicion.
Police remind residents to keep their doors locked. If you are away from home for a length of time, have a friend check your home regularly, and properly lock and store valuables, including firearms. (John Thompson)
Teachers pick new prez
Katherine Macwood is the new president of the Yukon Teachers Association.
Macwood has taught at Elijah Smith Elementary School for the past 11 years. She beat out rival Cully Robinson, principal of Tantalus School in Carmacks, in an election held last week.
Votes were counted on Saturday. It’s unclear how close the race was.
“We don’t release numbers,” said Jim Tredger, the outgoing president.
Tredger declined to run again after serving as president for the past two years.
Macwood will serve a one-year term, beginning in mid-July.
Before moving to Whitehorse, Macwood taught in schools in Watson Lake and Old Crow. She’s lived in the Yukon for 17 years. (John Thompson)