Vernon Rcmp

Family pleads for witnesses after father backed over by a car

“HE WAS IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME” VERNON - Andrew Raab walked the same route to the Upper Room Mission for lunch every single day, not because he couldn’t afford food—he paid for all his meals—but because he liked the company. “He didn’t like being alone, he liked being out in the...

Pair of men face charges after spotted wearing balaclavas

VERNON - Police are recommending charges against a pair of men caught with weapons and balaclavas. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says police received a report of two men near Fruit Union Plaza wearing masks and gloves around 10:40 a.m. Jan. 17. Officers found the suspects in the area, no longer wearing balaclavas, and searched them....

Vernon RCMP investigate suspicious fire

VERNON - Police are following up on a suspicious dumpster bin fire. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says it appears someone set cardboard on fire inside a dumpster around 6:45 p.m. Jan. 17 in the 2300 block of 36 Avenue. Several people noticed the fire, but no one saw who started it. There was no damage...

Death threat lands man in Vernon court

VERNON – A young Vernon man accused of making death threats with a knife has appeared in court and will be back before a judge later this month. Brandon Dewayne Cottrell, 18, is charged with uttering threats and possession of weapon for a dangerous purpose. RCMP were called to a home in the 3400-block of...

Man arrested for break and enter also wanted in Alberta

VERNON - Mounties arrested one of two men a witness said broke into a new townhouse construction site overnight, Jan. 16, 2015. RCMP received the report at roughly 3:30 a.m., according to a media release. The caller told police two men wearing hoodies partly covering their faces came to the scene in a silver pickup...

Pedestrian struck downtown in Vernon

VERNON - A pedestrian sustained a serious injury after being hit by a car downtown in Vernon around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The incident happened on 27 Avenue near the Upper Room Mission when a vehicle reversing out of a driveway backed over a male pedestrian in his 80s.  “He sustained a broken hip which is...

Man hurls stuff at police from behind broken furniture barricade

VERNON - Mounties were dodging household items rather than bullets when a man barricaded himself behind a pile of broken furniture during a standoff with police Monday night. Vernon RCMP were called to 3901-21 Avenue at 10:15 p.m. Jan. 12, 2015 because a man was allegedly destroying the downstairs basement. A woman spoke to officers...

Photo generates tips in Enderby donation box theft

VERNON - A photo released by police has generated a possible suspect in an Enderby case involving a stolen donation box. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says Mounties might be a step closer to finding out who’s responsible for taking a donation box from the Esso in Enderby. The donations were intended to support the family...

Employee stares down gun barrel during gas bar robbery

VERNON - A witness at the Safeway Gas Bar on 32 Street told Mounties the business was robbed at gunpoint Tuesday night. The incident happened shortly before 10:30 p.m. January 6 at the gas bar located at 4300-32 Street in Vernon, according to an RCMP media release. The witness told police the suspect went inside...

Vernon RCMP disrupt ‘potentially dangerous’ drug trafficking operation

VERNON - Mounties have busted a Vernon drug ring with ties to the Lower Mainland. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said two men, Andres Naranjo, 21, and Daniel Penton, 21, both of the Lower Mainland but residing in Vernon, were arrested Dec. 19. Naranjo is facing charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of cocaine and heroin...

Suspect drives stolen car into snowbank

VERNON COP IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME TO CATCH THIEF VERNON - A man well known to police didn’t get far in a stolen vehicle in Vernon early Thursday morning. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says a Kimberley man was on his way back to his hotel from Denny’s around 1:40 a.m. when...

Senior pedestrian left unconscious; police seek information

VERNON - Police are looking for more information about a hit and run that left a 69-year-old man unconscious on the side of the road. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said the accident happened Thursday, Jan. 8 just before 9 p.m. at the intersection of Husband Road and Kalamalka Lake Road in Coldstream. “The witness who...

Arrest made in Vernon corner store armed robbery

VERNON - Police arrested a man who allegedly pepper sprayed a corner store employee and made off with cigarettes and cash. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said officers identified the suspect as a 19-year-old Vernon man and arrested him the afternoon of Jan. 8. The man is expected to appear in court Jan. 9 to answer...

Excessive speeding has spiked 300 per cent in the North Okanagan

VERNON - As we ring in the New Year, the message from Vernon RCMP is keep the roads safer in 2015. Traffic Services impounded 78 vehicles for excessive speeding in 2014, up 300 per cent from 25 in 2013. “They (Traffic Services) just shake their head,” RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says. The need for decreasing...

Vernon RCMP need help finding an armed bank robbery suspect

VERNON - Mounties continue to investigate a bank robbery that happened at the Interior Savings Credit Union December 9 but so far haven't been able to make an arrest. According to an RCMP media release, there have been several leads from the public about the 25- to 35-year-old suspect and they're again asking the public...