Man wielding a corkscrew tries to rob South Okanagan pot dispensary

CAWSTON – Police responded to an unusual call earlier this week in which a man is alleged to have held up a pot shop with a corkscrew.

Around noon on Monday, July 31, Keremeos RCMP responded to a report of a robbery at an illegal marijuana dispensary in the Cawston area, Cpl. Dan Moskaluk says in a media release.

“Witnesses at the scene stated that the suspect forced his way into the store and demanded money and marijuana wielding a corkscrew. One clerk was struck with the corkscrew and received a minor injury.  A second staff member wrestled with the suspect and ejected him from the premises,” Moskaluk says in the release.

The man fled in a silver VW Golf, which was later determined to have been stolen out of Saanich. 

The vehicle was located by patrolling officers who did not pursue the vehicle due to the dangerous manner in which it was being operated, Moskaluk says.

A spike belt was eventually deployed as the vehicle continued towards Osoyoos. 

“Officers pursued the vehicle following the spike belt deployment however, terminated the pursuit once it drove into the populated area of Osoyoos,” Moskaluk says.

Extensive patrols were conducted in Osoyoos and the vehicle and suspects were located shortly after. One of three suspects managed to flee, while a 31-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were taken into custody. Investigators know who the third person is and are still trying to locate the individual.

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