The ice cream sundae in question.
Image Credit: Kelowna RCMP
December 26, 2024 - 6:00 PM
Criminals in the Okanagan and Kamloops had some harebrained schemes this year, so here’s a list to remind us all that crime doesn’t pay.
The first two criminals on the list had an understandable craving for ice cream.
Kamloops ice cream thief
An intoxicated Kamloops man had a hankering for ice cream, but not the cash to pay for it. Officers were called to a business on Lorne Street on May 10.
The suspect managed to steal himself some ice cream and escape on foot, but he came back later to try to get some more ice cream.
Police managed to track him down, take him into custody and he was “lodged in cells” to sober up.
The second ice cream bandit of 2024 struck in Kelowna
Someone broke into a business in the 500-block of Highway 33 West in Rutland on June 2. The bandit triggered the alarm and when police arrived they found the suspect making a chocolate sundae behind the counter.
The sundae maker was taken into custody and appeared in court since they caused a significant amount of damage to the store in their pursuit of the sweet treat.
Fraudster tries to get out of court with fake doctor’s note
A West Kelowna fraudster made a bold move by trying to use a fake doctor’s note to get out of a court appearance.
Elizabeth Kathleen Eek, also known as Beth Galley, was supposed to appear in court, July 19, for defrauding Manulife Financial out of $5,000.
She told the court there was a medical emergency and had her lawyer present a fraudulent doctor’s note. The court easily confirmed the note was fake and the excuse invalid.
Eek went on the lam but ended up with her fifth conviction for fraud in August and was sentenced to nine months in jail.
Lululemon burglars
In Kamloops two suspects were the target of a manhunt after breaking into the Lululemon at Aberdeen Mall on Aug. 5.
One of the suspects was wearing a reflective, high visibility jacket and the other had a high visibility jumpsuit.
The thieves used a pickup truck to break into the store, and the truck was later found on fire, but local residents were able to douse the flames before they spread.
RCMP did not say whether the thieves were trying to steal some Lululemon leggings or workout shorts.
Wanted man flees on bicycle, hits truck
Kelowna police officers on patrol spotted a man known to police on Dec. 11. The man had several outstanding warrants so police believed he was fleeing from them on the bicycle when he attempted to cross Harvey Avenue.
While attempting to escape the wanted man crashed into a semi truck and was given first aid and taken to hospital.
Vernon truck thief forgets about GPS
A 47-year-old Vernon man stole a pickup truck from a business on Oct. 14. The truck had a GPS in it so the owner tracked the vehicle and gave the information to police.
RCMP tracked the pickup to Spallumcheen and arrested the driver on a number of criminal charges.
Porta-potty arsonist
Someone lit a portable toilet on fire in Vernon early in the morning on July 23.
Firefighters were called to the porta-potty on Westkal Road and managed to put the flames out before they spread to a nearby hedge or nearby homes.
Police put out a request for surveillance footage and tips regarding suspicious activity around the time of the fire.
Airport vandals
A group of suspects hopped the perimeter fence at the Vernon Regional Airport on April 20.
The suspects climbed in and out of several planes and caused thousands of dollars in damage to one of the aircraft.
Images from surveillance video shows three suspects, one of whom appears to be riding a scooter.
Bad luck burglar stuck
In Salmon Arm a burglar broke into an apartment building on 5 Avenue on June 29.
A woman was about to go through the front door of an apartment when a noise came from inside. The noise was a man asking to be let out.
The burglar had entered the apartment through a broken window, but police did not say how he got stuck, or why he needed to be let out.
When officers arrived on the scene the burglar had escaped, but police tracked him down and arrested him.
Tire trouble in Salmon Arm
A group of teens decided to roll car tires downhill towards a hotel on the Trans-Canada Highway on April 4.
The tire damaged a parked car, but didn’t injure anyone.
The mischievous group of young people was back on April 17 with more tires but didn’t damage anything on that occasion.
All four teens were caught on security footage.
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