Lumber theft leaves Tabor Mountain volunteers dismayed
A theft of building materials has put a plan to build a new shelter and two bridges in the Tabor Mountain Recreation Area in jeopardy.
Volunteers had spent Sunday cutting and hauling about $1,500 worth of lumber up Tower Road to the trailhead for the Caledonia trail head.
They were certain they had stashed the material out of sight with the intent of hauling it up the trail a few days later.
But when they returned on Wednesday, it was nowhere to be found.
“We purchase this material through member donations and small grants – we cannot afford the money to replace it,” volunteer Norm Clark said.
Items missing include four 16-foot pieces of rough-cut four-by-six-inch timber, 16 75-inch-long pieces of two-by-six-inch treated lumber, four concrete post blocks and an assortment of other pieces, including two-by-fours and one-by-fours. Only the tin sheeting was left behind.
While hauling the material to the site, Clark said he noticed a black, older-model SUV pull in behind him and follow part way up the mountain before he pulled over to let him pass because he was going slowly on the rough road.
“He was the only vehicle I saw that day, that’s why I’m suspicious about it,” Clark said.
News of the theft has been circulated on social media and has prompted at least one person to offer to help replace the material. It’s also drawn comments expressing disappointment and outrage.
Anyone who may have information on the theft is asked to call the Prince George RCMP at (250)561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)2228477, online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca (English only), or Text-A-Tip to CRIMES (274637) using keyword “pgtips.”
The police file number is 17-33011.