Remnants of a crime scene where an emergency back-up generator was stolen from Nanaimo Lifeline. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

disturbing crime

Emergency generator supporting vulnerable Nanaimo & Oceanside seniors stolen

Jan 5, 2022 | 10:38 AM

NANAIMO — A large generator used as a backup to help keep mid-Island seniors safe was recently stolen in central Nanaimo.

RCMP Cst. Gary O’Brien said between Friday, Dec. 31 and and Sunday, Jan. 1 the large device was taken from outside Nanaimo Lifeline’s building, located at 1801 Bowen Rd.

The generator provides backup support to vulnerable seniors in the region to request help by using a personal help button worn as a wristband or pendant.

“It saves lives,” O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW. “It’s incredible that somebody would actually have it upon themselves to steal that. It’s very large, it weighs several hundred pounds.”

O’Brien believes it would have taken two or three people, a large truck and some time to unhook and steal the large generator.

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Tire tracks are visible where generator was located, on the front of the building facing Bowen Rd.

While the theft occurred during a wide time span, O’Brien is hopeful somebody may have viewed something suspicious without even knowing and can help solve the case.

Anybody with information is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

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