Stolen, expensive helicopter parts recovered by police

KELOWNA – Almost all the $400,000 worth of helicopter parts stolen from a Kelowna company’s van two weeks ago have been recovered by RCMP.

Alpine Helicopters lost 31 boxed helicopter parts from the van parked in the 2100-block of Peters Road on Dec. 6. Police said the parts would be worthless to a thief.

Jill Seaton with Alpine Helicopters says safety protocols for such items mean they have serial numbers that must be traceable in order to be sold. She says the parts would be quickly noticed during any repairs and reported.

On Tuesday, police raided a home in the 8900-block of Highway 97 in Lake Country and found 30 of the 31 stolen parts. No one was home when police knocked on the door.

RCMP are still looking for a Honeywell power turbine governor and a Qualcomm Globalstar satellite phone.

No arrests have been made.

Anyone with any information regarding the outstanding part or satellite phone is asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.