RCMP say they’ve identified 17 people who may be responsible for vandalizing the Montreal Lake arena over the weekend.
Mounties responded Monday to a break and enter and mischief call at the arena in the northern Saskatchewan community. The building was extensively damaged when crews arrived, police said. Several windows inside the lobby were broken, sheets of plexiglass that surround the ice surface were shattered, walls and ceilings were damaged, and paint had been thrown on the floors, bleachers and boards.
The incident occurred sometime between Saturday evening and Monday morning, Sgt. Alen Presler with the Waskesiu Lake RCMP detachment said.
Police are interviewing 17 people, all from the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, as part of their investigation.
One adult, 18-year-old Daniel Bruce Henderson, and five youths between the ages of 13 and 15 have so far been charged.
Henderson faces charges of break and enter, mischief over $5,000 and theft under $1,000 as well as a breach of undertaking charge and a failure to comply with a youth sentence order offence. He is scheduled to appear in Prince Albert provincial court Wednesday.
The youths cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Presler said RCMP expect to lay more charges in the incident.
Not all 17 people who police believe are responsible for the vandalism can be charged. Some of the youths are under the age of 12 and can’t be formally charged under the Criminal Code, Presler said.
RCMP said in a media release they’re working alongside the Montreal Lake Cree Nation Chief and Council, band members, youth workers, and child and family services to resolve the issue.
