The RCMP have made three arrests following a series of thefts and acts of vandalism which occurred last night and early this morning in the downtown area.

Police received a call at about 10:30 Wednesday night reporting that two youth were running across vehicle roofs at the Whitehorse Motors dealership on Fourth Avenue.

The group ran across the street through the Whitehorse Elementary School grounds, leaving the area before police arrived, said Sgt. Don Rogers, a spokesman for the Whitehorse RCMP.

Then, at 1:10 a.m., several locals reported seeing a group of five youth "car shopping” — stealing from unlocked vehicles — in the area between the Family Hotel on Ray Street and Domino's Pizza on Second Avenue.

Two youth and one other suspect were arrested on suspicion of pilfering through a number of vehicles and were in possession of stolen cash and personal items, said Rogers.

"We arrested three kids, between the ages of 17 and 18 years old, all of which were known to police,” he said.

"The incidents are still being investigated, and charges will be laid after the investigation has concluded.”

It is unclear whether the group members are the same identified by the previous 911 call.

A third incident was reported in the parking lot of Canadian Tire on Chilkoot Way, where 12 vehicles were found after having been badly vandalized overnight.

"Last night, or early this morning, a number of vehicles were vandalized, and we are currently in the process of reviewing video footage of the incident,” store owner Dan

Charlebois told the Star.

The vehicles were all being worked on by the company's auto service department and had been left for repairs.

The vehicles were in rows side by side when they were vandalized.

Damage includes several broken windows, and some vehicles were keyed, said Charlebois. In addition to the damage, some personal property was also strewn around the lot.

"Most of the damage was done to windows,” said Charlebois. "But the biggest damage was done to the personal sense of privacy of the vehicle owners and the inconvenience it has caused them. No one wants to deal with something like this.

"Frankly, I was disgusted and shocked when I heard about this.”

That sentiment is shared by the victims.

"I was shocked and disappointed when I heard the news,” said Ken Giam, whose cab was among the vehicles damaged in the Canadian Tire lot.

He'd already waited more than a week for his vehicle when it was damaged.

This morning he received a call from Canadian Tire. Instead of telling him his vehicle could be picked up, he was told his passenger side window had been smashed and his personal belongings had been left on the ground.

"The person who did this is senseless,” Giam said.

"They have obviously hurt people like me and the others whose cars were damaged as well.

"Now I have to wait another seven to 10 days for the window to be ordered, which has thrown my whole schedule off. It's just really inconvenient and it's upsetting to know that someone went through my car like that.”

This morning, some vehicle owners expressed concern over how they would be compensated for their loss.

"In situations like this, compensation for the vehicle owners most often comes from their insurance companies,” said Charlebois.

"Normally, the customer will make a claim with their insurance company and then the company may or may not contact us. Either way, a situation like this will cost us all.”

He has heard that other downtown businesses had nearby vehicles vandalized as well.

The RCMP still do not know whether all of last night's incidents are related, but they say each is currently under investigation.

Members of the community with information about any of the crimes are encouraged to contact the RCMP.