Firearms and a silencer seized by RCMP are seen in this submitted photo.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/RCMP
January 27, 2022 - 11:17 AM
RCMP officers arrested a prolific property-crime offender and recovered a significant amount of stolen property and weapons while conducting three separate investigations in the Okanagan.
Three search warrants were executed Jan. 13 at Lake Country and Penticton properties and police recovered a large quantity of stolen goods including: nine utility trailers, a CAT skid steer, a utility task vehicle, tools, 18 firearms and a crossbow, according to the RCMP in a press release. The stolen property is worth roughly $300,000.
On Dec. 8, 2021, police began to investigate thefts of heavy equipment throughout the Interior.
A 28-year-old Lake Country man has been arrested in connection to the thefts and charges are being recommended by Kelowna RCMP to B.C. Prosecution Service including: theft of motor vehicle, three counts of break and enter committing theft over $5,000, four counts of possession of property obtained by crime and eight counts of driving while prohibited.
On Jan. 19, RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency officers also recovered a loaded handgun, multiple magazines of ammunition, and two firearm suppressors from a property in the 3000-block of Elliott Road in West Kelowna while executing a search warrant. The investigation began Jan. 6.
Officers also found 10 ounces each of suspected cocaine and suspected methamphetamine, along with cash and materials consistent with drug trafficking, RCMP said.
A 49-year-old man was arrested without incident and faces charges including: importation of a prohibited device, possession of a prohibited firearm and possession for the purpose of trafficking are being recommended to the prosecution service.
The most recent seizure of stolen goods occurred Jan. 22, after Kelowna RCMP officers responded to a complaint of a man driving a vintage-style dirt bike at the intersection of Gordon Drive and Clement Avenue.
When officers arrived on scene, they discovered the dirt bike had been stolen earlier that morning during a break and enter at a business on Clement Avenue. The driver was arrested for being in possession of stolen property and upon further investigation, officers also found cheques and electronics that had been stolen during the break-in.
A 37-year-old man was remanded into custody and the charges including five counts of possession of property obtained by crime and three counts of break and enter will be recommended to the B.C. Prosecution Service.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Carli Berry or call 250-864-7494 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.
News from © iNFOnews, 2022