Kelowna RCMP are investigating a string of suspicious incidents on a property in the Rutland neighbourhood this month, and police believe the man in this photo from Dec. 21, 2021, may be a suspect.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kelowna RCMP
December 23, 2021 - 2:39 PM
Kelowna RCMP were called to a construction site in the Rutland neighbourhood three times so far this month to investigate items that could have damaged natural gas lines.
The investigation is in early stages, but police believe the same suspect has returned to the site all three times with the intent, it appears, to damage the property on the 600 block of Rutland Road.
The property owner has now increased security measures around the property as the Kelowna RCMP General Investigative Services team continues to look for a suspect, according to a Kelowna RCMP news release.
“We are dealing with three separate incidents and believe there to be one male suspect," Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Tammy Lobb said in the release.
A male suspect on the Rutland Road property is seen in this surveillance footage from Dec. 6, 2021.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kelowna RCMP
The first report was on Dec. 6 when Kelowna RCMP were called by the Kelowna Fire Department in response to an item at the property "designed to cause damage" to the natural gas line going to the building.
Police have not said what the item was in order to "protect the integrity of the investigation."
On Dec. 15, police responded to a report that a suspicious person was walking around the same property. They later determined the suspect gained access to the garage.
On Dec. 21, police responded yet again to the same property. This time there were "accelerants" located near the natural gas line the leads into the building, RCMP said.
"The motive is not known but the actions of the individual, had they been successful in their efforts, had the potential to cause serious damage to property and would have endangered the safety of anyone who would have been nearby at the time. We need your help to identify the person responsible.”
Each incident occurred between 6 a.m. and 6:30 a.m., and Kelowna RCMP are encouraging the public to call 9-1-1 if there is suspicious activity around the Rutland Road property.
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