Whitehorse campground thefts remain unsolved

There have been several thefts at the Robert Service campground in Whitehorse over the last two weeks.

Last Friday, three campsites were robbed.

One of the robberiesleft two women on ajourney from Alaska to the Arctic Ocean stranded without critical gear.

• Travellers' gear stolen in Whitehorse, midway through their epic adventure

This is the first year the city of Whitehorse has run the campground, but it waswarned by the previous owner about theft in the area.

"We do feel bad about this, we think it's a very unfortunate event," said Marc Boulerice, acting manager for parks and community development for the city.

Five thefts have been reported at the campground since May, according to RCMP.

Last year there were 12 thefts between May 1 and Sept. 30.

To help deal with the issue, the campground has installed lockers, andhas offered to keep items stored in the backroom of the office.

"It seems that it's not the campers that are doing this," said Boulerice.

Several items have been found scattered along the Millennium Trail leading into the Riverdale neighbourhood. Boulerice said they believe it's people coming from town that are doing the stealing.

The cityalso extended hours for the attendantsto 1 a.m. some nights to help deter the problem.

However, Boulerice said Friday's thefts occurred even with an attendant on the later patrol.

"The campground is a fairly large area, so it's fairly difficult to catch anybody in the act," said Boulerice.

For now, campground staff are warning people about the thefts when they come to register for a site, and there are posters up around the campground.

RCMP say all thefts have been under $5,000.

Leigh Swansboroughand ClarissaBlack, the women whose gear was stolen last week, said they hadabout $4,000 worth of gear stolen from them.

"But we have collected the things we need to continue on our trip based on the kindness of everybody in this town," said Black.

They plan to paddle up to Dawson City on Thursday.