Multiple firearms stolen

Photo: Carmen Weld

Lawrence Heights mobile home park

North Okanagan RCMP are concerned, and on the lookout, after brazen thieves stole a gun safe with 22 firearms inside.

According to cops, the entire safe -- which would require multiple people to move -- was lifted from a home in the 9500 block of Highway 97.

Spokesman Gord Molendyk says the registered and legal firearms, including 17 rifles and five handguns, were stored properly in a locked safe in an add-on shed attached to the mobile home.

The theft was reported at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday Nov. 2, but may have happened closer to 4 a.m. that morning, when a large bang was heard in the area.

Molendyk says it is very troubling to police, as these firearms often make it to the black market.

“It is very concerning to us that you have all of these firearms that are in who knows whose hands,” says Molendyk. “There is a black market for firearms on the street and a lot of them are sold for illegal purposes.”

Residents in the area, called Lawrence Heights, seemed shocked by the news. Many saying they weren't even aware of the theft. One woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said she knew about the theft and felt it had to have been targeted. She says the area is and always has been very safe.

At this point RCMP do not know if the home was targeted, or if the thieves knew the guns were there.

Molendyk says the theft would have required multiple people and a vehicle that could carry a safe. With that in mind, they hope someone may have seen or heard something suspicious in the area at that time.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the North Okanagan RCMP or Crimestoppers. 

Photo: Carmen Weld

RCMP Spokesman Gord Molendyk