Skip to content

Kelowna residents band together and help Mounties catch thief

Police recover stolen firearms after several Kelowna residents subdue a thief
78843kelownaRCMPcarlights-ES-BPfiles-web
RCMP

Kelowna residents banded together Thursday afternoon and managed to thwart a firearm thievery.

The Kelowna RCMP were alerted Aug. 11  at 2:10 p.m., to a situation unfolding in the 900 block of Old Vernon Road. Several area workers and residents apprehended an alleged thief caught in the act and found in possession of apparent stolen firearms.

"Police believe that the suspect had gained entry into an area home, where once inside he allegedly stole one rifle and two handguns along with ammunition for the firearms," said Const. Jesse O'Donaghey, in a press release.

"The suspect, who was believed to be in the process of stealing a red Ford Expedition nearby the scene of the break-in, was confronted and subdued by residents and the vehicles owner, who had been working nearby ... Amazingly no one was injured during the confrontation."

The suspect, a 39-year-old Kelowna man known to police, was held in police custody and expected to appear in Court today. He faces a number of potential charges including: break and enter to commit theft, break and enter to steal a firearm, theft of a motor vehicle, along with several firearms offences including: unauthorized possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm contrary to prohibition order to name a few.

Anyone with any additional information and has not yet spoken to investigators, is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.