Photo by Whitehorse Star

Man arrested after vehicles broken into

A Whitehorse man faces 37 charges in relation to crimes involving vehicles early on Christmas Eve day.

By Whitehorse Star on January 10, 2023

A Whitehorse man faces 37 charges in relation to crimes involving vehicles early on Christmas Eve day.

At approximately 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 24, Whitehorse RCMP received a call about a man attempting to break into a vehicle in the downtown area after a vehicle’s alarm had been set off.

Officers attended and were initially unable to locate the man, but found fresh footprints in the snow.

They followed the tracks that led to multiple vehicles over a four-block area. A man was then spotted attempting to gain access to a vehicle.

The man, familiar to police, fled the scene, police said Monday.

A foot pursuit and tracking began, with the man being apprehended without incident a short time later. He was found to be in possession of items believed to be stolen.

“This is a reminder to citizens to lock their unattended vehicles at all times and to not to store valuables in plain view, to avoid tempting thieves,” said Sgt. Jolene Nason of the Whitehorse detachment.

“It only takes a moment for a car prowler to gain access to a vehicle and access its contents. Thieves are active at all times of the year and conditions, including the cold weather we had on Christmas Eve.”

Bobby Russell Ward, 39, has been charged with the possession of stolen property, resisting arrest, and 35 counts of theft under $5,000.

He was released on conditions and is due in territorial court on Wednesday.

Comments (26)

Up 1 Down 1

Concerned person on Feb 6, 2023 at 10:15 pm

Two wrongs don’t make a right if that’s was someone u know would u be okay to say break his legs ? People that do that should be locked up. There’s always better ways then violence and jail things like treatment support. Violence brings more violence only adding more fuel to the fire - not cool.

Up 9 Down 0

For "Totally real name on Jan 12, 2023 at 5:33 pm". on Jan 15, 2023 at 5:13 pm

You wrote:
"It would sure anger the same 6 extremists on here to know most of these judges were appointed by Yukon Party and the Cons.
Still blames the left."

You realize judges apply the law, not make it up in the court room. The law, ie. Bill C75 came in under the liberals. The judges do this all over the country, meaning everyone gets bail unless its murder.

Follow the link if you'd like to see what this has done to other cities:

https://www.timescolonist.com/local-news/catch-and-release-bail-changes-mean-more-accused-criminals-sent-back-into-community-4692087

Up 17 Down 4

@drum on Jan 13, 2023 at 10:30 am

If you want to see a photo just google "Bobby Ward Whitehorse" and the first hit gives you a pic.

Up 15 Down 9

Matthew on Jan 13, 2023 at 6:13 am

ALL FN who commit crimes without a weapon have committed no crime. It's part of the special treatment FN recieve. He will be let out again make sure of that! Want to see this man? Google his name and put Yukon beside it.

Up 52 Down 6

Bandit on Jan 12, 2023 at 9:33 am

It wasn't all that long ago that Bobby Ward stole from the wrong dude and had his legs broken, he didn't learn his lesson there so maybe it's time to go to big boy jail where he'll be traded for a chocolate bar and a bag of chips and maybe then he'll learn a bit of street justice because the "Justice ??? System" isn't working.

Up 42 Down 5

yukonmom on Jan 11, 2023 at 8:30 pm

Drives me crazy how the police always tell the victims what they should be doing differently. if you don't lock it they steal things. if you lock it they smash windows and steal things. Great choice.

Up 40 Down 2

Guncache on Jan 11, 2023 at 7:08 pm

Released on conditions. Guess what little Bobby is doing now?
A JP or judge will "set him free "

Up 33 Down 4

drum on Jan 11, 2023 at 4:25 pm

Lets see a photo so we can see what this criminal looks like and we can at least watch out for him when he is around our vehicles.

Up 41 Down 7

Anie on Jan 11, 2023 at 4:24 pm

To "Glad I live in Dawson". You have absolutely no facts on which to base your assumption that the thief was "desperate for money on Christmas Eve" . Maybe that person is just a thief who finds it easier to steal than to pay his own way in the world. The day has nothing at all to do with the story. But it's so good feeling to just make up facts and spout righteous indignation. People have posted about having to pay to repair vehicles because of a thief. Those people have my compassion.

Up 13 Down 4

Nathan Living on Jan 11, 2023 at 4:09 pm

Is it possible for the court to include conditions that stipulate where future crimes, if committed by this person, can take place.

My preference is that these crimes be limited to downtown Whitehorse to ensure that multiple layers of government and the City of Whitehorse can address the crime emergency. And I do think it's an emergency.

The City of Whitehorse can strike another committee to deal with crime, drug, and alcohol use downtown and ameliorate all the social problems that other governments seem to enable.

Up 53 Down 4

Jeff Bikaboom on Jan 11, 2023 at 1:42 pm

I have had three incidents with my car downtown in the last year and a half. Each ranging from $800 to $4500 in repairs. After insurance, it has still cost me thousands plus a huge amount of my time. The last 2 smashings went unsolved so it is nice to hear someone has been caught. So much damage done for a booty of a couple loonies for the parking meter.

Up 67 Down 9

Ah yes, good old bill C-75 on Jan 11, 2023 at 9:24 am

Known to police, 35 counts of theft, released.

You can thank Jody Wilson-Raybould for bill C-75 and it's idiotic revolving door policy. You get what you vote for, in this case zero deterrent of crime. Imagine being a cop and having to release this person?

Just wait till bill C-5 comes online, then no more mandatory minimums for gun crimes, good job liberals.
Meanwhile they pass Bill C-21 and want to take our guns, like we are the problem. Ah Canada, what a screwed up place you've become.

Up 57 Down 5

Nobody cares about Bobby on Jan 10, 2023 at 10:22 pm

As another wise reader suggested before, START PUBLISHING THE NAMES OF THE JUDGES.

Up 54 Down 5

bonanzajoe on Jan 10, 2023 at 7:16 pm

It's cold out. For cripes sake the perp wants to go to jail to be with his friends. Then send him. Better yet, send him to a Federal Pen where he can make new friends.

Up 52 Down 6

Matthew on Jan 10, 2023 at 7:13 pm

"The man, familiar to police, fled the scene, police said Monday".. oh I see now, let's see his rap sheet. Again, failed liberal nonsense! Start putting these people away! Start making examples so others won't follow him!

Up 46 Down 3

Thomas Brewer on Jan 10, 2023 at 6:22 pm

This is a positive step, but more needs to be done. There's dozens of these s*!trats fearlessly wandering our neighbourhoods nightly.

Up 35 Down 6

Buffurd T Justice on Jan 10, 2023 at 5:43 pm

Don’t expect any changes until you have a say on who becomes the next judge….maybe he will break into the wrong house and then he just disappears…….in a hole in the Yukon river or some lake…..

Up 54 Down 3

Mark on Jan 10, 2023 at 4:42 pm

“Wash, rinse, repeat”

Will someone with expertise in justice please explain the rationale for not having significant consequences applied to repeat offenders. Is there evidence that offenders will change their ways? Is it too expensive to incarcerate? Does public safety and security factor into decisions? Is deterrence relevant?

Up 14 Down 64

Glad I live in Dawson on Jan 10, 2023 at 4:28 pm

No questions about why this person was so desperate for money on Christmas Eve, regardless of whether or not it was for drugs or alcohol. This person is a human being lost on a holiday where we all fake it I guess. Peace on Earth and goodwill towards men, replaced by lock him up without a hint of compassion. It was pretty cold that night. Maybe he should have frozen to death and reduced the surplus population.

Up 110 Down 10

YT on Jan 10, 2023 at 2:59 pm

“He was released on conditions…..”
Too bad.

Up 110 Down 9

Bill on Jan 10, 2023 at 1:47 pm

"He was released on conditions and is due in territorial court on Wednesday."

WTF !!!!????

Up 114 Down 9

And..? on Jan 10, 2023 at 1:47 pm

And I bet he’s back on the streets tonight.

Up 120 Down 10

Rod on Jan 10, 2023 at 1:12 pm

“Released on conditions”

“Bobby you don’t do that again ok because you have conditions!” Lol

What a joke. He will be back to the same ol sh$t again. Back in the day they would cut your hand off for theft. Now you just get a warning and free to go.

Up 120 Down 9

Gla-dont on Jan 10, 2023 at 12:46 pm

35 counts huh? That should land him what? 3 months probation?

Up 101 Down 24

Politlco on Jan 10, 2023 at 12:42 pm

Busy boy! Now before all the whiners and complainers about the justice (?) system start rattling on remember, if you keep electing politicians that won't change the laws nothing is going to change so shut up already!