'It's disheartening': $11K worth of gear stolen from search and rescue crew in B.C. Interior
A search and rescue group in B.C.'s Interior is asking the public to keep an eye out for several pieces of equipment that were recently stolen from them.
Quesnel Search and Rescue shared news of the theft on its social media accounts on Thursday, along with photos of some of the gear that was taken and a surveillance image of a suspect.
Bob Zimmerman, president of the Quesnel Search and Rescue Society, told CTV News Vancouver the stolen items include two rope rescue kits, three bags of rope and six portable radios with backup batteries for each one.
"It's over $11,000 in value, so it's going to have an effect on us for replacing it all," Zimmerman said. "We do have insurance. I have not spoken to the insurance company yet."
He said he hopes members of the public will contact Quesnel RCMP if they see any of the items, all of which are specialized equipment for search and rescue teams and not especially useful to the general public.
"It's disheartening to see someone that's willing to do such a thing against a non-profit society that's here to help the public," Zimmerman said.
The theft won't stop Quesnel Search and Rescue from responding to calls, but it could limit the number of teams the society can send into the field, according to Zimmerman. That, in turn, could endanger the lives of people who need help.
Like many search and rescue organizations in the Lower Mainland, Quesnel Search and Rescue has had a busy year, Zimmerman said.
"So far this year, we've had 12 callouts, which I know may sound low to some large communities," he said.
In addition to asking the public to be on the lookout for the missing gear, Zimmerman is calling on the thief to do the right thing and return it.
"It's very frustrating to me that someone would even contemplate doing that," he said. "They're not thinking about society at all, only about themselves."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.