Police seek tips after Vernon gas bar held up by pair of robbers

VERNON – Police in Vernon are searching for a suspect following a brazen robbery Tuesday morning. 

Just before 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9 RCMP responded to a panic alarm at the Canada Safeway Gas Bar, located at 4300 32 St., RCMP spokesperson Const. Kelly Brett says in a release.

She says police arrived on scene within minutes to learn that the store had allegedly been robbed by two men. One, who appeared to be brandishing a small hunting knife, demanded money from the employee, while the other man kept on the lookout, Brett says. The men successfully made off with approximately $230 in cash and fled the area. The employee was not physically injured during the incident.

“With the quick response by our members and the cooperation of the gas bar staff, images of the males were viewed and descriptors were sent out to all units,” Brett says. “With the description information, an RCMP officer was able to identify one of the males and effect an arrest just shortly after the robbery had taken place.”

Police are still on the lookout for the second suspect, who is described as a Caucasian male between 30 to 35 years of age with a darker complexion, short beard or facial stubble, and wearing a plaid jacket and a dark coloured toque.

The RCMP continue to investigate and seek the public’s assistance in identifying their suspect.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vernon RCMP at 250-545-7171, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You can also leave a tip online. 

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