Two Kelowna men have been arrested and face potential charges following two overnight convenience store robberies in Kelowna.
Kelowna RCMP received a report Nov. 29 at 12:14 a.m., of a robbery just committed at the Chevron gas station located in the 2300 block of Gordon Drive. The investigation has revealed that two unknown suspects entered the gas station’s convenience store with each of their faces obstructed.
"When confronted, the lone store clerk quickly noticed that the men were each in possession of what appeared to be weapons and subsequently safely secured himself inside a staff area," said Const. Jesse O'Donaghey, in a press release.
"The stores video surveillance footage showed as the men allegedly stole what investigators believe to be tobacco products before fleeing the store."
Police responded to the scene, an area of containment was set up and RCMP Police Dog Services were called in to assist with a search for the two suspects.
Within a matter of hours at 2:47 a.m., RCMP received a second report of a robbery that just occurred, this time at the Mac’s convenience store located on KLO Road. The ongoing investigation has revealed that two suspects entered the store with their faces covered, one of whom produced a knife and demanded money and tobacco products from the store employee. Both suspects fled the store with an undisclosed amount of cash and tobacco products.
"RCMP officers flooded the area, and less than 10 minutes after the report was received a uniformed officer spotted one of the two suspects on foot in the 3100 block of De Montreuil Court," said O'Donaghey.
The suspect allegedly failed to follow police commands and a foot chase ensued which resulted in the suspect being taken into police custody.
“A keen observation of an area resident led our officers to the location of the outstanding robbery suspect,” said O’Donaghey. “The second suspect, found hiding from police, was safely taken into custody on the roof of a nearby carport."
The investigation is active at this time as the Kelowna RCMP General Investigations Section continue to work to conclusively link both robberies to one another.
Both suspects, each 19-year-old men from Kelowna, remain in police custody and face potential charges.