Search underway for two totem poles taken from Vancouver Island inn

VICTORIA – For the second time in as many months, thieves have stolen a totem pole from a property north of Victoria.

RCMP in Shawnigan Lake say a totem pole was taken from the Malahat Mountain Inn last weekend and an attempt may have been made to steal a third pole.

It was found at the bottom of an embankment near the inn, which was purchased recently after a year in foreclosure.

Mounties believe the first pole vanished sometime in late January and the new owner of the property, Lori Strandlund, hopes both are returned.

She describes them as priceless pieces of the region’s history.

Each of the 2.5-metre-tall poles weighs about 140 kilograms and Strandlund says they have been at the location for about 70 years. (CFAX)