The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Recently, Cst. Todd Sear of the Snow Lake RCMP advised that the detachment had received a complaint of the theft of diamond drilling equipment. Sear noted that sometime during the night of November 3 and the early morning of November 4, person(s) made off with in excess of $120,000 worth of equipment from Major DrillingÕs Chisel Lake yard. ÒThe items stolen are as follows: two - Drillhead assemblies; two - ÔChucksÕ; one - 9hp diesel Kubota motor attached to triplex pump, and one - 3000-ft. spool of braided steel wireline,Ó said the constable. ÒThese drillhead assemblies are best described as being ÔHÕ shaped, four feet tall and two to three feet depth and width with hydraulic cylinders on the sides and painted red. The ÔchuckÕ is approximately five to six feet long, steel grooved shaft with a painted blue Ôbowl shaped top.ÕÓ Sear stated it was unfortunate that there were no serial numbers recorded by Major Drilling, so the only identifying markings would be a stamp or riveted tag on the Drillhead assembly. ÒIf located, the spool of steel line will have ÔC634Õ handwritten on the spool,Ó he said. The officer also confirmed that a suspicious vehicle was seen at the location prior to the theft. ÒIt was described as a 1992-1994 Chevrolet Z71, either black or dark blue with two male occupants,Ó Sear said. ÒThe driver had short black hair, with a mustache and was approximately 30 years old. The other occupant was younger (20s), with blonde hair and clean-shaven. No info regarding the license plate.Ó Sear further advised that representatives of Major Drilling stated they believe the theft would most likely benefit an upstart drilling company, saving them initial start-up costs. The public is being asked to please keep their eyes and ears open for any information related to this theft, and report it immediately to the local RCMP. SearÕs Corporal, Jackie Wheeler, released a similar appeal just days before. In it, she stated Manitoba Crime Stoppers, in cooperation with the Snow Lake RCMP Detachment, are looking for assistance in solving two other offences. ÒSnow Lake RCMP is asking for the communityÕs assistance in identifying suspects in the following matters,Ó said Wheeler. ÒSometime between the late evening of Wednesday, October 22 and the early morning of the following Thursday, vandals pushed over the Smartcar parked in front of the residence at 104 Larch Street, causing it to be tipped on its side. ÒThis senseless and unprovoked act caused over $5,000 in damages and the loss of transportation to a visiting out-of-province family member of a community resident.Ó The second instance that the corporal spoke of happened during the month of October and involved acts of vandalism to the communityÕs Recycling Building. Someone broke several windows, there was an unlawful entry and foul graffiti was written on the inside of the building. Wheeler was at a loss to explain why anyone would do such a thing, noting, ÒThis program and its building is solely operated by volunteers who give this community countless hours of their time in order to better our living environment.Ó The corporal further advised that any person having information regarding these crimes is asked to call Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or the Snow Lake RCMP. She said Crime stoppers will pay up to $2,000 in cash for information leading to an arrest in this or any other unsolved crime in Manitoba. Callers never have to reveal their identity and Crime stoppers does not subscribe to caller ID. My Take on Snow Lake runs Fridays.
