Photo: Contributed

The RCMP's Emergency Response Team assisted in a dramatic takedown in Kelowna, Wednesday.

A male suspect was apprehended in an industrial area on Windsor Road.

Police believe the man is responsible for at least three thefts and armed robberies in the Central Okanagan over the past five days.

This includes the grab-and-dash of cash from convenience stores on Shannon Lake Road in West Kelowna and Main Street in Kettle Valley, as well as the armed robbery of a convenience store on Glenmore Road in Kelowna.

Cpl. Jesse O'Donaghey says police have reason to believe the three robberies are connected.

“Due to the suspect's escalating violent behaviour, covert plain clothes operators were tasked with bringing him into custody safely,” says O’Donaghey.

“Those members of the RCMP Street Enforcement Team located their target Wednesday afternoon in Kelowna. To ensure public and police safety, a co-ordinated arrest was carried out by the Emergency Response Team, supported by additional front line officers, a police canine and even an aircraft.”

The unidentified 23-year-old Kelowna man faces numerous charges. He was also wanted on outstanding warrants for an unrelated matter.