Armed robberies may be related

Image Credit: Contributed

February 28, 2014 - 11:10 AM

KELOWNA - Police are hoping members of the public have information that can help them find the person responsible for recent robberies in the Central Okanagan.

The Kelowna RCMP have responded to a series of robberies that may be related. Each time a police services dog was brought in, the track ended abruptly, leading police to believe the thief fled on foot to a waiting car.

The most recent robbery happened Thursday, February 27, at 10:07 p.m. at London Drugs located at 2151 Louie Drive, West Kelowna. A man entered the pharmacy brandishing a firearm and demanded cash from the registers. Because staff were in the process of closing the store, there was no cash available so he demanded drugs. He then fled on foot with his bounty of pills toward Walmart. A police services dog tracked the suspect but like the other robberies, the trail ended ubruptly, indicating there was likely a car waiting nearby.

The suspect in this incident is described as Caucasian, 5'10" with a medium build wearing blue jeans, white running shoes and a black hooded sweater. The suspect also has a lazy left eye.

The first five robberies targeting liquor stores, gas stations, drug marts and other retail locations happened over the past two weeks. The suspect came in with a knife during the first robbery, but has since replaced the knife with a black handgun. No one was injured in any of the robberies.

February 12, 2014 at 9:31 pm at the Husky Gas Station located at 2610 Ross Road, West Kelowna
February 13, 2014 at 10:16 pm at the McCulloch Station Liquor Store located at 2789 KLO Road, Kelowna
February 15, 2014 at 8:25 pm at the Shoppers Drug Mart located at 3327 Lakeshore Road, Kelowna
February 17, 2014 at 6:02 pm at the EB Games located at 1575 Banks Road, Kelowna
February 25, 2014 at 10:22 pm at the Liquor Depot located at 3000 Louie Drive, West Kelowna

The suspect in the five robberies is described as Caucasian, 25-35 years old, 5'10" to 6' tall with a deep voice, blond or light brown hair, dry skin or acne-scarring around eyes and nose and wearing a brown or earth toned jacket and black balaclava.

Anyone with information, or who witnessed suspicious activity at any of the locations around the time of the robberies can contact Kelowna RCMP Const. McBride or Const. Moon at 250-762-3300. Remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.