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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