Gord Molendyk

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

It would seem the Vernon RCMP got a real life game of cops and robbers for Christmas this year.

For many, the holidays represent comfort, family, and giving. But Gord Molendyk, Spokesperson for the RCMP, says they aren't that way for everyone. Two recent robberies in Enderby are just one example of the increased amount of crime characterizing this time of year.

"For the most part, we had a quiet holiday season," Molendyk tells InfoTel News. "But we did have quite a number of break and enters and thefts from vehicles."

"I wish I could say there was none of that," Molendyk says. "But unfortunately there are people that prey on other people to meet their own needs, and they spoil the holidays for others."

Christmastime is over, but the crime carries on.

On Dec. 29 at about 10:20 p.m. officers were called to a report of a robbery at the Enderby Liquor Store on Cliff Ave. A cashier reported that a male had just robbed the store. The cashier described the male as approximately 6 feet tall, 150 lbs, wearing a white hoody up over his head, and a dark coloured scarf around his face. 

"The clerk said the male produced a knife," Molendyk said.

The suspect then walked around to the back of the counter where he took cash and cigarettes. He then walked out of the store and headed north. 

"Police Dog Service attended but lost the track in the parking lot nearby on Cliff Ave."

Officers have viewed video surveillance and determined the suspect was wearing a white hoody under a zip-up grey sweatshirt with black stripes down the sleeves. Officers are continuing to work on this file and anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of the Enderby Detachment of the RCMP.

The next day at about 10:30 a.m. officers were again dispatched to a report of a robbery in progress, this time at the Dollar Store in Enderby.

"Police were advised the lone employee was in the rear office of the store and the lone male was attempting to pry open the cash register with a knife."

The suspect, who was described as approximately 30 years of age, 5'9" to 5'10" wearing a black hoody with a black puffy jacket, a scarf over his nose and lower face, was not located. Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of the Enderby RCMP detachment.

Molendyk says the robberies are not believed to be related to a rash of four robberies Nov. 30. He says the possibility is something the RCMP will investigate but that "at first glance, it would not appear they are connected." 

RCMP did connect two men from Enderby with goods stolen from a rash of  break and enters at Enderby businesses on Dec. 29. 

Just before 8:00 a.m., police discovered two men possessing stolen property from numerous break and enters at businesses in the Enderby area that had occured that morning. The police were alerted by a concerned citizen who reported people slamming the doors of a vehicle in the 2300 block of 33rd Street in Vernon. The citizen said he thought the people could be high on drugs or intoxicated.

"Our officers attended and located a dark Honda with a 40-year-old man seated behind the wheel and a 21-year-old passenger," Molendyk said. Both men are from Enderby.

"They told police they were just trying to get warm and stay out of the cold and snow."

A mixed assortment of items were found in the back seat and on the floor of the vehicle, which RCMP also believe may have been stolen.

The men were arrested for Possession of Stolen Property, and will appear in court Feb.

—Charlotte Helston
chelston@infotelnews.ca
(250)-309-5230

News from © iNFOnews, 2012