Five Red Sucker Lake teens have been arrested after the only police vehicle in the isolated First Nations community was destroyed by fire early July 28, said Sgt. Line Karpish, an RCMP media spokesperson for "D" Division in Winnipeg.
"The crime is considered gang-related," Karpish said.
It was the only police vehicle in the community, policed from Island Lake RCMP detachment, she said. The three-quarter ton Chevrolet pickup truck was stored at the Manitoba Hydro compound in Red Sucker Lake.
The five youths, ranging in ages from 14 to 17, have been arrested and will faces charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act of arson, attempted breaking and entering to a building on site, as well as mischief over $5,000, Karpish said. All five have been released from custody on undertakings with conditions to attend provincial court in Garden Hill First Nation Aug. 17. The media, pursuant to the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, can identify none of the five accused.
Red Sucker Lake is a northeastern Oji-Cree dialect-speaking community close to the Ontario border, more than 700 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg, and more than 480 kilometres from the nearest service centre.
Island Lake RCMP detachment members flew into the community and began an investigation and determined the truck had been intentionally set on fire, Karpish said. Island Lake RCMP learned of the fire at 4 a.m. July 28.
The loss of the truck, a total write-off, is estimated at $20,000. Karpish said.
"This was the only police vehicle on site as this is an isolated community policed from Island Lake detachment," Karpish said. "RCMP are making arrangements so that this incident does not impact on police response and public safety."
