Inuvik's greenhouse latest victim in string of break-and-enters

A rash of break-and-enters in Inuvik, N.W.T., has struck the town's greenhouse, which may now temporarily layoff an employee to make up for the stolen funds.

About $1,400 was stolen from the greenhouse during two separate break-ins on Wednesday and Thursday evening. The two thefts bring the total number of break-and-enters in Inuvikto eight over the last week.

Ray Solotki, the greenhouse's executive director, saysthe money stolen was from a plant sale fundraiser. Proceeds from the plant sale wereearmarked for staff funding, she said.

"So if we don't come up with $1,400, that's three weeks of top-up forone of our employees from their government grant," she said. Staff are funded by a combination of government grants and money raised, Solotki explained.

"If I can't make that $1,450, someone is going to be laid off for three weeks."

The break-ins led to the cancellation of a barbecue planned to celebrate Garden Day on Friday. Greenhouse representatives say they are planning to ramp up security as a result of the incidents.

The greenhouse robberies are the latest in a string of break-and-enters in Inuvik. Other victims included the John Wayne Kiktorak Centre, as well as the town's youth centre.

Police say that at this point, the robberies don't appear to be connected.