Photo: File

RCMP Supt. Shawna Baher

The arrest of a suspected thief by the top-ranking RCMP member in Vernon has resulted in charges in an unrelated beating of an 84-year-old victim back in July.

The original incident was called in on July 27 at 4:15 p.m. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP responded to the report of an 84-year-old man who was assaulted and robbed in the 2800 block of 35th Street.

The victim was walking in the alley when he was confronted by an unknown man. During the interaction, the victim was punched in the face and knocked to the ground. An item was also stolen, RCMP said.

The suspect ran from the scene.

Witnesses were able to describe him, but the suspect was not found despite several patrols in the area, Finn said. The Serious Crime Unit was assigned to investigate.

Two days later at 9:45 a.m., Supt. Shawna Baher was conducting patrols in downtown Vernon when police were alerted to a man breaking into a truck parked in the 2800 block of 31st Street.

The witness advised the suspect was seen inside the truck and had run off taking several items. Baher was in the area and arrested the suspect for theft under $5,000, Finn said.

"The witness reported the incident to police immediately which assisted us in taking this man into custody quickly," said Cpl. Tania Finn, media relations officer with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. 

"As it turns out, the individual arrested by Superintendent Baher that morning had been identified as the suspect in the earlier robbery."

A thorough investigation was completed by responding police officers, the Serious Crime Unit and our Forensic Identification Section, RCMP said.

"The good work done allowed for this individual to be held in custody as he demonstrated he was a risk to the community," Finn added.

A 20-year-old man from Vernon is facing numerous charges including robbery, assault causing bodily harm and theft under $5,000. He is in custody pending his next court appearance.