RCMP release thermal image, profile of suspect who cut Sea to Sky Gondola cable

RCMP have released a profile and a thermal image of the person suspected of cutting the cable of theSea to Sky Gondola twice in the past three years.

The individual is believed to be "extremely fit," knowthe area around the gondola well and have extensive knowledge of the tools needed to cause damage to the cable while allowing them to get away safely.

Thegondola's cable was deliberately severedon separate occasions in 2019 and 2020.

RCMP Sgt. Chris Manseau says investigators believe it could have been the same person who severed the cable both times, sending the gondola's cabins crashing to the ground, but different people may also be involved.

"We know there are people out there with information that could assist police with this investigation," said Manseauon Wednesday.

WATCH |B.C. RCMP Sgt. Chris Manseau delivers information about the suspect:

RCMP provide suspect profile of gondola vandal

2 years ago

Duration 0:49

B.C. RCMP Sgt. Chris Manseau says the individual who cut the Sea to Sky gondola cable is physically fit and knows the area well.

The Mounties' major crimes special projects section also says security video from the second instancethe cable was cut in September 2020 shows how a security guard narrowly avoidedbeing killed by the falling cable cars.

Investigators gave the updates at a news conference at RCMP headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday, the second anniversary of the 2020 incident in which the attraction's main cable was cut, sending most of the gondola cabins crashing to the ground.

The operators of the Sea to Sky Gondola have also doubled the reward to $500,000for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the cable-cutting vandal.

"It has been a rough few years for Squamish," said the attraction'sgeneral manager Kirby Brown on Wednesday. "We are going to double the reward and hope that this person who has endangered the lives of our people and endangered the viability of our community will be brought in swiftly."

WATCH | Security guard narrowly avoids being hit by falling cars:

Falling gondola cars narrowly miss security guard

2 years ago

Duration 0:36

A security video shows a security guard holding a flashlight narrowly avoiding being hit by falling gondola cars on Sept.14, 2020.

The privately owned tourist attraction had resumed operating just months earlier after being targeted in the same way in August 2019.

No arrests have been made for either crime. RCMP said Wednesday they have interviewed more than 70 people of interestand eliminated them as suspects over the past three years.

Police say they are looking into charges of mischief and of mischief endangering a life because of the security guard who was nearly struck by the falling gondola cars.

Operators of the gondola stepped up security after the cable was cut the first time and the attraction now hasan in-house security team with tech for around-the-clock surveillance.

The attraction, which draws roughly 400,000 visitors every year, reopened again in June 2021 and has been operating as usual since.

The 39-car gondola takes passengers up a steep mountain ridge just south of the Stawamus Chief, offering unobstructed views of Howe Sound.

The attraction is also one of the largest employers in town and a significant feature in the $95-million local tourism sector, according to Tourism Squamish.

After the cable was cut the first time in August2019, it took six months and $5 million to repair the attraction. Brown says the damage from both incidents has cost the company over $10 million in total.