On March 16, 2024, Whitehorse RCMP received a report that a break and enter occurred at the Whitehorse Victim Services office. It was learned that areas of the Victim Services Office were accessed, including records containing client information. Whitehorse Detachment General Investigation Section (GIS) took the lead of the investigation, assisted by M Division's Major Crime Unit and Crime Reduction Unit.
On March 19, 2024 at 10:20 am police received a report of a robbery that occurred at a downtown business. A masked male entered the store brandishing a metal object demanding money and he tried to break into display cases. Police quickly identified Kyle Robert McCormick and he was arrested the same day for this robbery and on an outstanding warrant for arrest. At the time of his arrest, Kyle McCormick had in his possession items that were believed to be taken from the Victim Services office in Whitehorse.
On March 19, 2024, police officers with Whitehorse Detachment General Investigation Section and General Duty officers executed a search warrant where Kyle McCormick was known to reside and recovered additional items also believed to be taken from the break-in.
At the time of Kyle McCormick's arrest on March 19, 2024, he was on a Release Order, dated February 26, 2024 for 14 charges which are before the courts related to several investigations from November 2023.
Kyle McCormick appeared in court March 20, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. and has been remanded until April 3, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. He is charged with the following offences:
- Break and Enter, Business - Section 348(1)(a) Criminal Code;
- Possession of Break-in Instruments - Section 351(1) Criminal Code;
- Two counts, Disguised with Intent to Commit Offence - Section 351(2) Criminal Code;
- Robbery with Weapon - Section 344 Criminal Code;
- Assault with Weapon - Section 267(a) Criminal Code;
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime - Section 354(1)(a) Criminal Code.
"The top priority of the Yukon RCMP is the safety and wellbeing of the public. The break-in to the Victim Services Office has impacted the feeling of safety of Yukoners. Police, with the Government of Yukon Department of Justice, continue to assess the risk to safety of individuals and anyone who would have utilised Victim Services in the Territory. The Yukon RCMP are committed to providing updates as available on this matter while continuing to uphold our obligations to safeguard personal information. " – Superintendent Lindsay Ellis, Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations for Yukon RCMP
If victims are concerned about the security/privacy of their information, they can call Victim Services at 667-8500 with any questions. If you have information to provide to police, but wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppersyukon.ca or by phone at 867-667-6715.