Photo: WeeScalon

A night with friends during the Vernon Winter Carnival ended with a robbery and a cautionary tale.

A woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, says following the blues concert at the rec centre on 33rd Avenue in Vernon, she was robbed while walking to her car.  

"In the past, I used to think Vernon was safe. I don't think that it is safe anymore."

The woman has filed a report with the RCMP, but says she wanted to share her story with Castanet so hopefully, other people won't fall victim to a robbery like she did. 

The woman met some friends at the concert and after the show, they all dispersed. She says that when she got to her car the thief, who was hiding behind her vehicle, jumped her just as she clicked her key fob to get into her car.

"I am lucky, I have martial arts training. I could get the guy off me, but he still made off with my purse."

She says with the help of the RCMP she was able to get her purse back, but not the wallet. All her ID was taken as well.

"I don't want to be looked at as a victim, but I just want people to be a little safer."

The woman says she feels frustrated by the amount of crime she hears about in the community.

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are aware of this robbery, but say it has not responded to any other calls of robberies like this one in the Vernon area.  

"The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are committed to the safety and protection of our residents and any crime against a person that is reported to police is taken seriously and a full investigation is conducted," stated Const. Kelly Brett.

The woman does say that in her case, RCMP did do a great job, but her concern is about how to prevent things like this from happening again. 

"It was kind of traumatic. All I did was walk from the rec centre to my car."