SAR gear theft

Photo: Contributed

A Penticton and District Search and Rescue member went from being a rescuer to the victim of a crime, this week.

Kurt Hasenkox, who is an active climber and outdoors person, was at the Skaha Bluffs area, between the hours of 6:45 to 8:10 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

After his hike he returned to the upper parking lot to find his vehicle had been broken into.

Among the valuables removed by thieves were a Garmin GPS, two High Sierra backpacks and other personal items along with his search gear that had been placed in the trunk.

Hasenkox, an active member of PENSAR, estimates that approximately  $1,000 worth of personal items along with all his rescue and survival equipment was taken. The gear that was taken is easily recognizable and includes an orange PENSAR high visibility  Gore Tex jacket, red rescue helmet, red first aid kit and a compass, which all come with PENSAR identification.

The two backpacks carried a range of equipment he uses on search and rescue tasks.

After discovering the theft, Hasenkox contacted the Penticton RCMP who attended and discovered that two other vehicles in the Skaha Bluffs lower parking lot were also broken into.

Since Hasenkox's insurance does not cover the loss, fellow SAR members have set up an online fund to assist him get the basic equpment he needs to get operational again, www.gofundme.com/kurtbeardhasenkox.

PENSAR is asking anyone who sees the stolen equipment or has information on the thefts to contact Penticton RCMP Cst. Chris Knock at (250) 492-4300 or Crime Stoppers.