Nanaimo RCMP have arrested a suspect after approximately 500 feet of wire was stolen from Merle Logan Field earlier this week.
The theft occurred in the early-morning hours Wednesday at the turf fields off Dorman Road, with an estimated 300 to 500 feet of wire missing. In a press release issued Friday, Oct. 2, Nanaimo RCMP say a 31-year-old man was arrested yesterday at 11 a.m.
He faces two counts of possession of stolen property and one count of breach of an existing undertaking, said the press release. The suspect was released from custody and will see an appearance at provincial court in Nanaimo on Dec. 1.
Information was provided to police, said the press release, leading them to a barn on the Beban Park recreation centre grounds. Upon arrival, police say they observed the suspect “stripping the plastic coating” from wires.
Fibre optic wire was cut, although not removed, and in all the cost of repairs was estimated at $20,000. But Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said officials may be able to salvage some of the wire.
“City of Nanaimo officials assessed the stolen wire and were pleased to discover that most of it was reusable and could be re-installed,” O’Brien said in the press release. “They expect the lights to be up and running in the next couple of days.”
In addition, an E-bike matching the description of one reported stolen from Woodgrove Centre Sept. 6 was recovered, said police.
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