They even stole a Canadian flag.
The First Parksville Scouts, active in this area since 1934, have lost an estimated $20,000 in equipment after a theft from their hall off Martindale Road.
A generator, tents, tarps, axes, camping gear — even a stuffed wolf’s head — were stolen from the hall sometime in the last two weeks. The theft was discovered Monday night.
“It’s very disappointing,” said First Parskville Scouts Commissioner Mary Beil. “It takes years to build up that supply of equipment.”
There are about 60 youth ages five through 17 who are part of the First Parksville Scouts. They are now without equipment for their activities.
The scout hall is in a remote location in Parksville, off Martindale Road near the Englishman River. The hall doors were locked. No one from the scouts had been to the hall in for at least 10 days before Monday night
“The doors were broken in,” said Beil.
Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman is asking members of the public to keep their eyes open for the missing items.
“It’s going to stick out,” said Foreman. “You just don’t hide a ton of camping gear like this.”
Foreman also said police keep a close eye on items-for-sale websites and have a good relationship with local pawn shops.
If you have any information about this crime, call Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
In the meantime, Beil said a GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the scouts: search for First Parksville Scouts. Also, donations in the form of cash and cheques can be dropped off at Trinex Internet Solutions on Weld Street in Parksville.
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