Chris Clegg
South Peace News
Thieves continue to wreak havoc at Winagami Lake by robbing cottage owners of valuable property.
The thefts continue despite pleas to local authorities for help.
“We are starting to wonder what else needs to happen before enforcement efforts are ramped up, right now we are sitting ducks,” says Darcy Beach, vice-president, Winagami Lake Cottage Owners Association he wrote in an email Sunday, Jan. 5.
The thefts began Dec. 18-19 when at least seven cottages were broken into and robbed.
“All cottages were entered either by smashing windows or entrance doors to gain entry,” says Beach.
Stolen items included TVs and other electronic items, women’s and men’s clothing, food and liquor.
The culprits showed no fear. At least two of the cottage owners were on location when the second round of break-ins were occurring and narrowly missed intercepting their escape before police arrived, says Beach.
“One of the cottage owners had just had their cabin broke into that same night,” says Beach.
“RCMP from McLennan responded to the scene but did not catch the suspects, but have launched an investigation.”
News reports that efforts would be made to improve security did not stop thieves.
“Since the last news article (Dec. 25, 2024 South Peace News), several more cabins, vehicles, and trailers have been broken into with numerous types of damages and thefts, including the theft of two cargo trailers,” says Beach.
“On at least three separate occasions, Dec. 26, 27, and Jan. 3, gangs of thieves have continued to pillage the cottage community without regard of getting caught or of a possible confrontation with cottage owners,” he says.
“The latest occasion on Jan. 3 was in the middle of the day with other cottage owners just a few doors away. There is likely more cabins that have also been broken into but not yet reported,” he adds.
All known incidents have been reported to the RCMP, yet the break and enters continue.
Beach says both cargo trailers have been recovered. One of them was recovered by the owner without RCMP assistance, the other trailer was located by Citizens on Patrol in High Prairie.
“RCMP are being fully apprised and are aware of the current situation yet nothing has been done to protect the cottage community from the thieves,” says a frustrated Beach.
Letters of concern and a request for assistance were sent to Lesser Slave MLA Scott Sinclair and Peace Region UPC MP, Arnold Viersen. Another letter is also being sent to Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks. Assistance could include additional peace officers to investigate and protect the community, a gate to the cottage area, and/or additional cameras to compliment what cottage owners already have in place, Beach suggests.
“It is hard to believe that in a rural cottage community with 72 cottages, after having approximately 20 per cent of the cottages either broken into or attempted to be broken into, vehicles and trailers vandalized or stolen on at least five separate occasions over a timeframe of a few weeks, that more enforcement efforts are not being focused on this community,” Beach says.
During the pre-Christmas thefts, photos of the male and female thieves and one of their vehicles was recorded from one of the cottages broken into. Photos were posted on Facebook.
Earlier, Beach suggested establishing a Cottage Owners on Patrol program.
“Cottage owners will now be more diligent in observing and reporting suspicious activities and some have already or are planning to upgrade their cottages with extra security measures including alarms and other surveillance equipment,” Beach said before Christmas.
RCMP are not available for comment on weekends.