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West Kelowna  

Culprits carve up cop boat

Several boats at the Shelter Bay Marina have been vandalized – including the RCMP vessel.

The suspects damaged several boats last week that were moored in the marina. They also stole items from the fenced compound.

Const. Jesse O’Donaghey says police believe the incident took place sometime between midnight and 7 a.m. on May 19.

“Our RCMP boat sustained significant damage to its inflatable pontoon,” said O’Donaghey. “The culprits cut out and removed an approximate four-foot-long chunk of the vessel's pontoon, then damaged parts of its electrical components. Thieves then stole emergency safety equipment from the RCMP vessel including personal flotation devices, flares, a set of a binoculars and a police radio.”

West Kelowna RCMP boat co-ordinator of the First Nations Policing Unit, Const. Rally Williams, was very disappointed to find out about the vandalism, saying it was a senseless act that now delays the launch of the vessel onto Okanagan Lake.

“Local detachments and communities often depend on the RCMP vessel to respond to calls for service. Now our vessel is dry docked until it can be properly repaired and restocked,” added Williams.

The two suspects, a man and a woman, were caught on video surveillance, which is being analyzed by investigators.

The man is described as a Caucasian male in his late 20s. The woman is described as a Caucasian and in her early 20s, with blonde hair.

West Kelowna RCMP are continuing their investigation and are seeking the public’s help in identifying both suspects in the photos being released to the public.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Williams at the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880.



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