North Okanagan senior arrested for attempting to rob Vernon business

A 63-year-old Coldstream man has been arrested after he grabbed a member of staff while attempting to rob a downtown Vernon business with a weapon.

According to a Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media release, the 63-year-old man entered the business at the 3300 block 32 Avenue at roughly 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan 16, when the employees were at the rear of the business.

The man grabbed one of the employees and a scuffle took place between the two before the employee was able to disarm the man and hold him until police arrived. RCMP do not say what type of weapon the suspect had.

“Our front line officers arrived on scene within minutes of the 9-11 call,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Tania Finn said in the release. "The suspect was arrested without further incident."

The employee sustained minor injuries due to the incident.

The 63-year-old Coldstream man was charged with assault with a weapon.

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