Kelowna Mountie were able to track down and return an iPad which had been stolen from a 12-year-old boy at a bowling alley last week.
The theft occurred Feb. 16 at about 2:30 p.m. at the Capri Valley Lanes, 1835 Gordon Dr.
It was reported to police that an Apple iPad that belonged to the youth had been stolen, but the suspect had been captured on surveillance video.
“Sgt. Greg Woodcox immediately recognized the suspect thief as a prolific offender who was well known to the officer,” said Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Sgt. Woodcox, known by all his clients as 'Woody' was determined to locate and arrest his suspect for the crime and ultimately recover the youth’s device.”
One day later at 12:29 pm, another police officer with the Downtown Enforcement Unit caught up with the suspect at Parkinson Recreation Centre, where he was arrested for theft without incident.
The suspect was questioned by police, and learned that he allegedly sold the device on the streets to another prolific offender wanted by police on unrelated warrants for his arrest. The suspect was released from custody on a promise to appear in court at a later date.
Last weekend, police were able to recover the moderately damaged stolen Apple iPad.
Sgt. Woodcox has since personally returned the tablet to a very happy 12 year old boy, who later said to his parents: “It’s really cool knowing someone who puts their life out there to protect someone they don’t even know.”
Robbery investigated
Police are investigating an early morning robbery in which a woman suffered injuries and was taken to hospital.
Early Monday morning at 1:45 a.m., the Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a robbery that had just occurred in the 400 block of Harvey Avenue.
Police have determined that the victim had departed a friend’s residence, and was walking to her parked car when she was approached from behind by a suspect grabbing at her fanny pack.
The suspect allegedly grabbed a tobacco product from her fanny pack, pushed the victim to the ground and fled on foot along Harvey Avenue towards the lake. The assault took place near the car wash associated to the Chevron at the intersection of Harvey Avenue and Pandosy Street.
The victim, 56-year-old Kelowna woman, managed to walk to a gas station at the intersection of Richter Street and Harvey Avenue for assistance. The woman suffered injuries to her wrist and head as a result of being pushed to the ground by the suspect. She was taken to hospital.
The suspect was described to police as:
· Caucasian;
· 25 to 37 years of age;
· Clean shaven;
· Average height and skinny;
· Wearing a black hooded sweater.
The Kelowna RCMP is continuing to investigate, which will include the canvassing of video surveillance cameras in the area of the assault.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact, Cst. Apollonia De Jong, of the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.