Image Credit: Barriere RCMP

By Ashley Legassic

EXCAVATOR VANDALIZED

Tens of thousands of dollars in damage to excavator near Knouff Lake

Sep 20, 2019 | 4:00 PM

BARRIERE, B.C. — Police in Barriere are investigating after someone caused thousands of dollars in damage to an excavator.

In a news release, Barriere RCMP say the vehicle was parked on Knouff Lake Road, and believe the crime was committed sometime during the late evening hours of Wednesday (Sept. 18) or early Thursday (Sept. 19).

The suspect or suspects caused massive damage to the John Deere excavator, by cutting several wires and hoses, drilling into metallic parts, and shoving dirt into the vehicle’s air intake.

Spray painted on the excavator is profanity and the words “Tree Killer”.

The owner of the excavator told police he had been contracted to perform ditch and culvert clean-up in the area, and happened to park it in a clearing where logging had taken place previously.

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According to him, the area has seen signs posted lately by unknown people expressing opposition to logging in the Knouff Lake area.

He believes the person responsible may have believed he was involved in the logging industry.

“We believe that whomever is responsible likely had a strong familiarity of the working components of these types of heavy machinery, which allowed them to cause maximal damage,” says Cpl. Rob Welsman in the release. “Unfortunately this careless act resulted in a leak of fluids onto the ground which also caused soil contamination concerns. Damages are estimated to be upwards of $30,000 to repair.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Barriere RCMP at (250) 672-9918 or Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.