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Kelowna  

Tipster catches snatcher

It didn't take long for police to catch a purse snatcher.

Only a few hours after the story was posted to Castanet, police identified a suspect.

RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said the man was identified less than three hours later.

“It was just after 6 p.m. that the RCMP’s search for their suspect came to an end, thanks to an astute member of the public who spotted the alleged thief back at the Plaza 33 Shopping Centre and quickly called police,” he said.

RCMP converged and arrested the man without incident.

“The arresting officer located the elderly woman’s identification and bank card in his possession upon his arrest,” said O’Donaghey.

“Along with recovering the victim’s personal identification and bank card, the victim’s purse had also been found by yet another observant citizen inside the dumpster of a nearby business. Arrangements will be made to reunite the woman with her belongings, at which point a determination will be made as to whether or not any of her property remains missing.”

Police said they're pleased with the number of tips called in and thank both the media and the public for their help "identifying and apprehending the man responsible for taking advantage of a sad situation and choosing to further victimize a defenceless woman." 

A 32-year-old Kelowna man is expected to appear in Court next March to face related charges.



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