'Hands and feet bound'

Photo: Contributed

A very scary situation for an employee of Sleep Country Canada who was bound and robbed at knifepoint Monday night. 

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP say it happened around 8 p.m. at the location on 58th Ave. in the north end of Vernon.

The alleged robber walked into the store and found a lone male employee and began asking questions about cheap mattresses. 

After a while, the man allegedly pulled out a knife and demanded the employee get behind the counter and on the ground. The employee then had his hands and feet bound with clear packing tape.

"Fortunately, there were no customers in the store at the time of the robbery and the victim sustained no injuries from being bound," stated Const. Kelly Brett. "The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and once the suspect fled, the employee broke free from the restraints and was able to call the police."

RCMP brought the dog service and set up a perimeter, but the alleged robber got away. 

The suspect is described as:

• A caucasian male, with a blemished complexion.
• Short dark hair.
• In his late 30’s to early 40’s
• Approximately 5’10 tall with a slim build. 

The man was wearing a white jacket with orange stripes with the words Ski-Doo and Free Style on the right arm, a small black beanie style toque, black sneakers and carrying a black backpack with red writing on it. 
 
The knife used in the robbery is described as a hunting knife with a 4 - 5-inch blade with a green handle and a crescent moon shape carved out of the tip. 

"RCMP are asking businesses in the area to review any surveillance footage which may have captured the suspect as he arrived and departed after committing the robbery."  Brett adds, "Being that the store is well lit and that it was dark outside, the chances of the general public seeing something through the large storefront windows is very possible."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com