Deadly Robbery Spree

A Vernon man, on parole for robbery, died in a car accident early Friday morning following a string of robberies.

Vernon RCMP say 27-year-old Kristopher Dahm died when his vehicle struck a semi parked at the side of the road near the overpass to Highway 97 and 97A.

Police say the driver of the semi administered first aid, however, Dahm succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

According to RCMP, Dahm was responsible for three robberies prior to his crash.

Dahm apparently got away with an undisclosed amount of cash during robberies at the TD Bank on Anderson Way and the Super 8 Motel on 32nd Street Thursday evening.

An attempted robbery at the Holiday Inn about 4:30 Friday morning was unsuccessful due to night security procedures at the hotel.

Police say they were able to identify Dahm from descriptions of his clothing and surveillance photos obtained from the bank.

Dahm was released from the William Head Institution April 4. He had been serving time at the facility for an armed robbery in Vernon committed in June, 2001.

Police say Dahm's family indicated he had struggled for some time with addictions and hoped he would receive the treatment he needed while incarcerated.

"He had taken an electrical apprenticeship while in prison, but in the end, he could not seem to shake the hold the addictions had on him."

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.