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West Kelowna  

Robberies may be linked

A West Kelowna man is in custody after a string of armed robberies on the Westside.

RCMP say the 21-year-old man is facing multiple charges after he was finally caught on Sunday.

Police believe the man is tied to the robbery at the Super 8 motel on March 27, followed by a robbery at the Superstore on the 27th and another at a Tim Hortons Saturday evening.

On March 27, a lone man with a black T-shirt covering his face produced a weapon and demanded money at the Super 8 motel on Westgate Road, just before 3 a.m.

Later that day, according to staff at the West Kelowna Superstore, a man came in with a suspected flare gun and demanded cash before leaving.

Then on March 28 at 10:42 p.m., West Kelowna RCMP responded to a report of a robbery at a Tim Hortons.

“Information was provided that a male suspect entered the Tim Hortons with his face covered, produced a weapon and demanded money from a cashier,” said Cpl. Joe Duncan. “The suspect fled the scene on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash.”

As in the previous robberies, a police dog was called in and followed the track, but the man could not be found.

Duncan said on Sunday, thanks to public tips, the 21-year-old suspect was taken into custody without incident.

“The man is charged with robbery and disguising his face with intent to commit an offence,” said Duncan. “The suspect remains in custody and will appear in court in Kelowna on April 2.”

West Kelowna RCMP are still investigating the robberies and believe all three may be linked.

Anyone with information should contact West Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Cullen at 250-768-2880.

Or remain anonymous by calling CrimeStoppers 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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