Thief with access code steals thousands from local restaurant

KELOWNA – An owner of a local tapas bar and restaurant suspects an early morning theft of thousands of dollars in tips was an inside job.

Jay Blackford is one of the owners of Xchange on Dickson Avenue. At 1:50 a.m. on May 29 security cameras onsite caught a man with his face covered enter the restaurant using a key code and taking tips meant for staff.

“I don’t recognize the person who did this,” he says. “They either knew someone or had access (to the keypad codes). This is probably an inside job.”

Blackford says he has no idea who might have betrayed him and his staff.

“They’re a great bunch,” he says. “We’re all local. I have no idea who it might be.”

The restaurant was empty at the time and the thief's face is hidden from the camera.

Blackford is offering a cash reward to anyone who helps them catch the culprit and will be reimbursing staff for all tips stolen, which amounts to thousands of dollars.

If you saw anything suspicious in the area or have any information about the theft please call Jay at 250-469-9690.

Calls to Kelowna RCMP were not returned.

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