West Kelowna man stabbed trying to get stolen cell phone back

WEST KELOWNA – A West Kelowna man trying to track down his cellphone early Sunday morning was stabbed when he got into a confrontation with the alleged thief.

The incident happened around 3 a.m. on June 2 in the 400 block of Leon Avenue in downtown Kelowna, according to an RCMP media release.

The 33-year-old victim had borrowed a friend’s cell phone and was using its GPS system to track his own missing phone.

“A confrontation ensued and quickly escalated to a weapon assault when the victim came face to face with the armed suspect,” states Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey, spokesman for the Kelowna RCMP, in a news release. “Despite being injured, the victim yelled for help and continued to follow the male suspect’s movements, which allowed our responding officers to safely and effectively apprehend him.”

The victim suffered two stab wounds to his upper body and was taken to hospital with what police believed were non-life threatening injuries.

The 57-year-old suspect was arrested and is expected to appear in court on Aug. 26.

Witnesses are asked to call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.

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