Customer reels in crustacean crook

PENTICTON – A Penticton man with a penchant for prawns has a future court date following his apprehension for shoplifting.

Bryan Murray Moxam was arrested Friday, Aug. 7, after being chased out of the Penticton IGA by a customer who realized Moxam had merchandise he hadn’t paid for, according to RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth.

IGA staff were first to notice Moxam heading out the door at approximately 4 p.m. with four bags of shrimp. Two store employees struggled with Moxam, who was able to free himself and run away on foot.

Police were alerted to a fight in progress on Penticton Avenue and arrived on scene to find the IGA customer restraining Moxam. Much to Moxam’s misfortune, it turned out the IGA customer was a retired B.C. sheriff, who was able to provide a detailed witness statement to police.

Officers also found the four bags of frozen prawns, valued at $80.

Moxam, 32, appeared in court Monday, Aug. 10, and was subsequently released on a recognizance to appear at a future date. He also has a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and is to stay at least two blocks away from the Penticton IGA.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.