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Video hoped to identify suspected motorcycle thief

Police briefs: Motorcycle theft investigated; drunk boater from Vancouver face charges
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Photo released by Kelowna RCMP of motorcycle theft suspect in Tim Hortons restaurant located at 1936 Kane Rd. in Glenmore.

Mounties in Vernon have recovered the motorcycle taken in Kelowna on July 28 and are now looking for the public's help to identify the suspect caught on a surveillance camera.

Police were called to the Tim Hortons restaurant at 1936 Kane Rd in Glenmore on Thursday shortly after 6 a.m., responding to a report of a motorcycle theft.

Police were told the new owner of the grey 2008 Honda motorcycle had been approached in the parking lot by the suspect who asked if he could sit on the bike, the owner obliged. The suspect then started the motorcycle and rode around the parking lot, before taking off northbound on Glenmore Road.

“Thanks to both the media and the general public, the motorcycle was recovered less than 24 hours later by the Vernon RCMP, after a tip was received from the public that the stolen motorcycle had been spotted in the 3800 block of 40th Avenue,” said Kelowna RCMP Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey, in a news release.

“Police are now releasing video surveillance photos taken of their alleged suspect in the motorcycle theft. We would like to once again turn to the public for their assistance, this time to help identify our suspect,"

The alleged suspect is described as:

·        In his late 30s to early 40s;

·        six feet tall;

·        slender build;

·        with short dark hair and facial stubble

 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 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.

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A vessel operator and some of his passengers are facing a “boatload" of potential charges after being stopped by police Friday night on Okanagan Lake.

While patrolling the lake on Friday shortly after 8 p.m., police officers manning the RCMP boat  conducted a check of a vessel observed being operated in an erratic manner near the wave break of the Kelowna Yacht Club.

During a safety check of the vessel officers observed open alcohol on board and determined that there were not enough life jackets on board for all passengers.

While interacting with the operator of the vessel investigators detected possible signs and symptoms of alcohol intoxication. A subsequent demand was made of the vessel operator which led to samples of his breath being obtained and determined to be nearly twice the legal limit.

The vessel operator, a 26-year-old Vancouver man, faces potential charges of impaired operation of a vessel. He was later released from police custody and is expected to appear in court on Nov. 3, 2016.

Further checks of the passengers onboard the vessel revealed that a 28-year-old Kelowna man and a 22-year-old Kelowna woman were each allegedly in breach of their court imposed conditions of release. Both were arrested and held in police custody and each face potential charges of breach of a recognizance.

“The RCMP would like to remind the public, that public safety both on and off the water is our priority  and that drinking and driving, whether on land or water, is illegal and punishable under the Criminal Code,” said Kelowna RCMP Cst. Jesse O’Donaghey, in a news release.  “Police urge the public to report suspected impaired drivers both on and off the water."