String of armed robberies

Photo: RCMP

RCMP are hoping the public can help them identify this robbery suspect.

Police are investigating a string of armed robberies that occurred over the past few days which may involve the same suspect.

On Jan. 11 at approximately 12:30 p.m., Vernon RCMP responded to a robbery at the Husky Gas Station, at 4500 27th St.

Const. Kelly Brett said investigators learned a lone male entered the store, placed money on the counter and asked to buy a lottery ticket.

“The male then allegedly produced a metal object, raising it as if he was going to strike the clerk and demanded money from the till. The suspect fled the store in a vehicle, with an undisclosed amount of cash,” said Brett.
General duty officers responded to the call and were supported by the RCMP Air Services Unit (Air 4), but were unable to locate the suspect.

However they did locate the suspect vehicle a short distance away which was turned over to the Forensic Identification Section for analysis.
Then on Jan. 11 at 8:30 p.m., police responded to a robbery at Booster Juice in the Fruit Union Plaza.

A lone male entered the store, allegedly produced a knife and demanded money from the employee. The suspect male grabbed the open till and the employee’s wallet as he fled out the back door. 

“RCMP officers were on scene within minutes, however, the suspect was not located,” said Brett. “Members are working diligently to identify a suspect in all the recent robbery cases, but are appealing to the public that if anyone has any information to come forward to the police or call Crime Stopper’s to remain anonymous.”

Brett said police have not ruled out the recent robberies are connected, however the investigation remains on-going as information continues to be gathered.

“It can be concerning that a recent rash of robberies are taking place in the Vernon area, and we are encouraging residents and employees to be vigilant and take note of their surroundings,” said Brett. “If there is a person, or vehicle, in the area that looks suspicious, take note by writing it down and calling police to make a report.”

On New Years Eve, police were called to the Petro Canada Gas Station on Highway 6 in Lavington where a lone male robbed the business with tool of some sort.

On Jan. 1, just before 9 p.m., RCMP received a call to yet another robbery that had just taken place at the Super Save Gas Station on 25th Ave in Vernon. 

"A lone male entered the store, produced what the employee believed to be a handle of a gun and demanded all the money from the till. The employee complied with the male’s demands then the male suspect fled the area in a dark coloured SUV."

Anyone with information on the robberies is asked to call Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171.

To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leave a tip online.