(Image Credit: Merritt RCMP)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

VANDALISM INVESTIGATION

Merritt RCMP investigating after Trans Mountain equipment vandalized

May 20, 2020 | 1:52 PM

MERRITT — Police in Merritt are investigating after a piece of heavy equipment on a Trans Mountain project site was vandalized, and eventually burned beyond use.

In a release, Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey with the Southeast District says yesterday morning (May 19), RCMP received a report of a suspicious vehicle fire. TMX crews on site discovered a blue Peterbuilt rope truck had been burned.

Earlier on the weekend, the same vehicle had been targeted in an ‘act of mischief’, and some fuel had been stolen from it. O’Donaghey says Tuesday’s fire resulted in a total loss of the truck.

He adds that at this point, it’s not known whether the acts were targeted, or simply crimes of opportunity.

An image of the TMX equipment before the damage (Provided by Merritt RCMP)

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“The fire scene had been secured by Merritt RCMP, for a full examination completed by forensic specialists and fire investigators with the RCMP Southeast District General Investigation Section,” states O’Donaghey, “RCMP has since learned that there were individuals camping over the weekend in the immediate area of the impacted vehicle. GIS investigators are seeking to identify those campers, as they may hold key information.”

Police are asking any drivers who travelled through the area of Highway 5A, and Tillery Road outside of Merritt during the evening of May 18, and early morning of May 19, to check their dash cam footage and contact RCMP.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Merritt RCMP Detachment at 250-378-4262 or the RCMP Southeast District GIS team at 250-869-2215.