Alert employees catch Penticton thief using skylight to steal from store

PENTICTON – A daring daylight robbery reminiscent of a Mission Impossible movie has resulted in charges against a brazen burglar.

Unfortunately for the thief, the crime was committed just moments after the store had closed, in daylight, with employees still on the property.

Employees at the Canadian Tire at 960 Railway St. noticed a running vehicle parked in front of one of the store’s service bays around 8:30 p.m. yesterday, June 27, just as the store was closing, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says.

Upon further inspection, the employees also noticed a large amount of Canadian Tire merchandise in the vehicle,

Staff took photos, wrote down the license number and called the police. They then noticed a man on the roof of the building, and shortly after that, the same man was seen inside the building.

The man had gained entry to the store by removing a skylight and dropping down to the store with a rope after it had closed.

The man was eventually seen approaching his car. Employees approached the vehicle, telling the man police was on the way. He told them he was a former employee of the store, and drove away.

Police located the vehicle and arrested the man. He was charged with break and enter.

The man faces a court appearance today, Tuesday, June 28.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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