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Vernon  

Thieves rob non-profit group

Thieves have made off with thousands of dollars worth of equipment from an area non-profit group.

On Saturday, it was discovered $4,500 worth of tools and two barbecues were stolen from a trailer used by the North Okanagan Cycling Society (NOCS).

Dudley Coulter, spokesperson for the society, said the trailer was parked at the DCT Chambers storage yard on Middleton Way in Vernon.

“Although the break-in was just discovered on Saturday, it happened sometime within the last three weeks,” said Coulter.

After smashing the lock off the door, the thieves proceeded to take a chainsaw (Stihl MS192TC), serial #299214020, a brush saw (Stihl FS85R), serial #279774654, five sets of protection gear, various trail building hand tools, a Dakine backpack, and two red barbecues.

"Most of the equipment will have ‘NOCS’ written on it somewhere," said Coulter. "Whether or not (the thieves) will be able to remove the writing is a different story."

Coutler said it is unlikely the stolen goods will end up in local sales, so the public is encouraged to keep their eyes open regionally. A report has been filed with the RCMP.

“It’s saddening that members of our community chose a volunteer-based organization to steal from,” said Edward Callendar, vice-president for NOCS. “It will take a lot of fundraising to replace this equipment, so we are hoping the public can help us locate these items.”

The trailer was donated to NOCS earlier this year, and was an effort to increase trail building in the community. The two barbecues are used to host the popular ThursdayNight Toonie Rides.

Anyone with information on the theft is urged to call Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171, or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477.



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