Prolific offender arrested days after Kelowna RCMP issued public warning

Justin Collins in keeping Kelowna RCMP busy as he commits crime after crime only to have the courts send him back out onto the streets.

On Wednesday, the RCMP took the unusual step of issuing a warning, saying the 45-year-old man had been ordered released by the courts after being arrested for assault, theft of mail and mischief, on Sunday.

READ MORE: Kelowna RCMP warn public about release of violent criminal

Today, Aug. 25, he was arrested again at about 10:19 a.m. Police were called just after 9 a.m. with a report of Collins being in a parking lot in the 1400 block of Water Street tampering with a vehicle. He was gone by the time police got there but they arrested him shortly after.

Collins has now been charged with possession of stolen property and breach of conditions and remains in custody waiting for his next court appearance.

He has generated 423 police files, RCMP said.

“We will continue to do our work professionally, with consistency, while actively engaging all supports and services available," Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Const. Mike Della-Paolera said in a media release. "The Kelowna RCMP are advocating for system change to address repeat property offenders that effectively address the underlying and root causes of crime.”

RCMP have said Collins “has no regard for the safety and well-being of others.”

READ MORE: B.C. aims to support repeat offenders while protecting communities

The provincial government announced today that, in mid-September, it will release the recommendations and an executive summary of an investigation it’s commissioned into prolific offenders. The full report will be available by the end of September.

The investigation was launched in the spring following lobbying from provincial mayors.

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