NEWTON, P.E.I. - Farmer Pat McIver says he’s facing up to $10,000 in repairs after wiring and hoses on his harvester were slashed, effecting the crops that need harvesting.
P.E.I. RCMP have received a string of similar reports from farmers on the western part of the Island. The added expense puts more financial pressure on them, as they already grapple with higher prices for fuel and fertilizer.
“It comes right off the bottom line,” McIver said. “Everything has shot up this year.”
McIver also has to find time for repairs during what he calls a “chaotic” stretch.
Six incidents have been reported in recent weeks, with police suspecting copper wire was the target, said Insp. Shaun Coady. Four took place in Prince County and two in Kings County.
“Copper wire is obviously a valuable metal. So there is some scrap metal value,” he said. “But we have seen that the amount of copper that they’re getting from these pieces of equipment is quite low. And so the damage that they’re causing far exceeds the value of the scrap.”
It’s still unclear whether the crimes are connected, but Coady said the reports seem “unusual.” As far as he knows, there have not been similar incidents in previous years.
Back on his farm, McIver is pulling turnips to fill orders, with carrots and parsnips still to come out of the ground.
He estimates he has less than two weeks’ worth of harvesting left, making repairs to the machine one of his priorities.
McIver is putting up a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Since sharing his story, he says he’s heard from other farmers as well.
“It’s crazy to hear so many people that have been hit,” he said.
The RCMP is encouraging people to report suspicious activity or pass along any information to police in their jurisdiction or Crime Stoppers.
