Utility worker disguise used in attempted home invasion in Kelowna

A man disguised as a utility worker tried to gain entry into a Kelowna home by luring the owner outside and spraying him with mace, but the homeowner – a man in his 60s – managed to prevent the other man from getting in.

RCMP received the call just after 11 a.m. on Sept. 6 and responded to the property on the 200-block of Riverside Avenue in Kelowna.

After getting maced, the homeowner ran back into his residence and was able to prevent the suspect from entering, according to an RCMP news release.

“The suspect fled when his attempts to gain entry failed,” RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy said. “This was a very frightening incident for the occupants of the home who were simply enjoying a quiet Labour Day morning.”

Police are looking for one suspect, described as a heavy set man approximately 5’10" tall. He was wearing a high visibility vest, a grey shirt, a yellow hard hat, blue non-medical face mask, blue gloves and jeans.

Nearby residents are being asked to check footage from home security systems or dash cams from around that time. Anybody with information that could be valuable to the investigation is being asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300.

READ MORE: Kelowna teens sprayed with bear mace in unprovoked attack

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.