Kelowna armed robber on the loose

KELOWNA – Within a four-day span, three businesses in Kelowna were robbed by what investigators believe is the same suspect. Constable Kris Clark with Kelowna RCMP says while no one was physically injured in any of the robberies, the suspect was wielding a hammer or a hatchet each time. He says the first robbery was on January 25 around 6:22p.m. at Okanagan video on Highway 33 West when a lone, masked male suspect entered the store with a hammer and demanded money.

“The suspect fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash,” says Clark. “A Police Service Dog initiated a short track but the suspect could not be located and is believed to have departed in a vehicle.”

Just four days later, there was an attempted robbery at the Rutland Convenience Store on Rutland Road North. It happened around 6:49p.m. Again, a lone masked male suspect entered the store, this time with a hatchet, demanding money.

“A verbal interaction occurred between the clerk and the suspect, resulting in the suspect fleeing to a waiting vehicle with nothing,” says Clark.

He says the vehicle was described as a newer, dark-coloured, four-door sedan that may have been occupied by the driver and the suspect. Less than an hour after that, the man believed responsible allegedly struck again. Clark says the robbery happened at Source Adult on Highway 97 North around 7:44p.m. The masked suspect entered holding a hatchet and demanded cash.

“The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash behind the strip mall.”

He says the suspect is described as a caucasian male, 30 to 45-years-old. He is 5’6” to 5’10” with a medium build, blue or light grey eyes, short brown hair and speaks without an accent. He adds the man’s face was fully covered either with a t-shirt, a bandanna or a balaclava; he was also wearing gloves. He says the suspect should not be approached as he is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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