Vernon man arrested for mugging 84-year-old

VERNON – A 20-year-old Vernon man has been arrested in connection with the daytime assault and robbery of an 84-year-old man.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release the 84-year-old was walking in an alley at the 2800 block of 35 Street in Vernon at around 4:15 p.m. on July 27 when he was punched in the face knocking him to the ground before he was robbed.

The suspect fled the scene and was not located by police.

On July 29 Vernon RCMP detachment commander Supt. Shawan Baher was taking part in a downtown patrol when they were told of a man breaking into a truck in the 2800 block of 31 Street. The suspect fled the truck on foot after taking various items but was arrested by Baher.

"The witness reported the incident to police immediately which assisted us in taking this man into custody quickly," Vernon RCMP media liaison officer Cpl. Tania Finn said in the release. "As it turns out, the individual arrested by Supt. Baher that morning had been identified as the suspect in the earlier robbery."

The 20-year-old Vernon man remains in custody and is facing numerous charges including robbery, assault causing bodily harm and theft under $5000.

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