Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian's chain of office was found to be stolen from city hall after a break-in on Sept. 10. It remains missing and Kamloops RCMP are asking the public to be on the lookout.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kamloops RCMP
September 13, 2021 - 1:51 PM
RCMP are holding one man in custody in connection with a weekend break-in at Kamloops city hall on Sunday.
A Kamloops city employee called police around 6:30 p.m. yesterday, Sept. 12, after spotting a man leaving city hall with two laptop bags and a duffle bag.
“In this case, the employee’s efforts and actions allowed for police to quickly locate and apprehend a suspect known to police, as well as retrieve a significant amount of City property,” Kamloops RCMP Supt. Sydney Lecky said in a press release issued today, Sept. 13.
Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian said there has been a string of break-ins at City facilities, with one ending with the his ceremonial chain of office missing from city hall.
The chain of office dates back to the amalgamation of Kamloops and Christian said he is disturbed that it his gone missing under his watch.
"I'm concerned about the loss of the chain of office. Not that it's particularly valuable but it is of historic significance," Christian said.
Police recovered electronics from the suspect and returned them to the City of Kamloops, but the chain of office was stolen during an earlier incident on Sept. 10.
Police have not ruled out the possibility that the break-ins are politically motivated, but Christian doesn't believe they are. Instead, he believes they were crimes of opportunity.
“The Mayor’s Chain of Office is unique and a significant piece of Kamloops history,” Supt. Lecky said in the release. “We are asking residents to please be on the lookout for the chain. We would appreciate any help the public can provide in assisting with its safe return.”
The City will now undergo the process of paying to replace some of the stolen items and upgrading security systems, including locks and surveillance.
Police responded to the area and arrested a 37-year-old man in relation to the Sept. 12 break-in, but the two incidents are being investigated separately as police cannot confirm the two city hall break-ins are related.
The man was known to police and remains in custody for a court appearance today.
— This story was updated at 3:40 p.m. Sept. 13, 2021, with information from Mayor Ken Christian and RCMP.
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