Two charged over Big River van theft

Dene Vital, 27, and Janna Roach, 20, have been charged following the theft of a passenger van from Big River Gas Station in Fort Providence on December 28.

Vital is charged with vehicle theft, passport theft, operating a vehicle in a dangerous manner, and five counts of possessing property obtained by crime.

Roach has slightly fewer charges: just vehicle theft and four counts of possessing property obtained by crime.

But there was no slice of luck for Yellowknife RCMP in the matter of the Pizza Hut SUV theft, which occurred between December 27 and 28.

On Saturday, RCMP said they believed there was a chance the two vehicle thefts were related.

The Pizza Hut SUV was found in the ditch on the highway to Fort Providence.

RCMP suspected the person or people who abandoned it in the ditch hitched a ride to Fort Providence where they stole a van from the gas station.

Vital and Roach were arrested on their way from Fort Providence to Fort Simpson in the stolen van.