UPDATE (Wednesday, June 28)

The Comox Valley RCMP is pleased to notify the public that the two backpacks which were taken from the Comox Wharf on June 14 have been returned to their rightful owners.

On June 27, Comox Valley RCMP sent out a media release requesting assistance to identify two suspects in the alleged theft of two backpacks from youth who were fishing at the Comox Wharf on June 14, 2023. Shortly after the request, one of the suspects came forward, indicated it was a miscommunication, and returned the backpacks to the Comox Valley RCMP detachment. The owners have confirmed that all the belongings were inside and nothing was missing.

The Comox Valley RCMP would like to thank the public and media for their assistance and support.

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ORIGINAL RELEASE (Tuesday, June 27)

The Comox Valley RCMP is seeking assistance from the public to identify the suspects believed to be involved in the theft of two backpacks at the Comox Wharf on June 14.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., two local youth left their backpacks in what they thought was a safe location to stay dry while they enjoyed an evening of fishing at the Comox Wharf. When they were finished, their backpacks had disappeared. Surveillance footage from the area showed a couple of people grabbing the backpacks and walking away with them.

鈥淲e take incidents like this seriously, especially when they impact local youth who should feel safe in our community,鈥� said Const. Monika Terragni, media relations officer, Comox Valley RCMP. 鈥淲e are counting on the public to assist with identifying these suspects so that we can move our investigation forward and potentially get these backpacks back to their owners.鈥�

Anyone who believes they know the identity of the suspects, or has information about this incident, is asked to contact Comox Valley RCMP at 250-338-1321 and refer to file number 2023-9224.