Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Corey Fischer

Getaway Plan Needs Work

Jun 14, 2018 | 2:17 PM

Two suspects in Vernon got a rude surprise as they got set to flee a home they had just broken into.

The culprits got into a house in the 2800 block of 48th Avenue through a venting system Saturday night, but didn’t know the occupant heard them, and called 9-1-1.

“As the occupant of the home provided live updates to the 911 dispatchers, officers attended and surrounded the residence,” says Cst. Kelly Brett. “Within minutes, two males were heard trying to exit the rear door of the home at which time they were met by RCMP officers on the other side. Both males were taken into custody without incident and were found to be in possession of stolen property.”

The occupant was not injured.

Brett says the suspects, Gabriel Luke and Stanley Michell of Vernon, are being held in custody until a court date next week.

Emergency Disaster Services
Vernon Salvation Army mobile team out supporting vulnerable people
5m ago
Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
5h ago
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
22h ago

“They have been charged with break and enter, possession of stolen property, possession of break and enter instruments and masking the face to commit and indictable offence,” says Brett.

by Corey Fischer

Other Matters

Emergency Disaster Services
Vernon Salvation Army mobile team out supporting vulnerable people
Salvation Army in Vernon will take its operations on the road as a heat wave hits the Okanagan.The organization's Emergency Disaster Services (EDS) team will be sent out through the community to provide bottled water, nutritious snacks, and juice to vulnerable people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and housing ...
7m ago
Read More
Structural Fire
Workshop destroyed in early morning West Kelowna fire
A workshop near Gellatly Bay was destroyed in an early morning fire Thursday.West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded to reports of a structure fire on Harding Road at about 4:50 a.m.Crews arriving at the scene found the workshop fully engulfed in flames and launched a defensive attack to contain the blaze.Four fire apparatu...
43m ago
Read More
Plan Approved
Regional growth strategy consultation plan approved by Central Okanagan board
The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) board has approved a plan to gather public input on a new regional growth strategy.The consultation plan was adopted July 16 and will guide how the RDCO engages residents, municipalities, First Nations, community organizations and government agencies during the developme...
44m ago
Read More
Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
The housing construction sector saw another decline in June.Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported 13 housing starts in Greater Vernon this June.That was down from the 19 housing starts in May, and from the 22 starts recorded in June of 2025.As of the end of June, there had been 88 housing projects sta...
5h ago
Read More
Unfinished business
Okanagan Sun begin title chase
The Okanagan Sun kick off the 2026 BCFC season this Saturday with a trip to Vancouver Island to take on the Nanaimo Raiders.The Sun are the two-time defending BCFC champions, and head coach Travis Miller says a big reason for that success is the experience returning to the lineup."We are returning a lot of veteran...
18h ago
Read More
new blaze
Wildfire in forest west of Highway 33
A wildfire west of Highway 33 and south of Myra-Bellevue Park Thursday afternoon has grown to about one hectare in size.BC Wildfire Service sent three helicopters and 16 firefighters to the Dale Creek area as part of an initial attack response. The red dot at the lower right corner shows the location of the wildfire. (...
20h ago
Read More
"I Voted"
Kelowna residents invited to design city's next election sticker
Kelowna residents are being asked to put their creativity to work ahead of this fall's municipal election by designing the city's next "I Voted" sticker.The City of Kelowna is inviting students, artists, designers and community members of all ages to submit original sticker designs that could be handed out at...
20h ago
Read More
Victim found in 80 metres of water
Drowning on Okanagan Lake
A tragic end to the search for a 45-year-old man presumed drowned on Okanagan Lake.The man went missing Saturday while being towed behind a boat on an inflatable tube.Police say he was not wearing a personal flotation device when he entered the water.The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team located and recovered his body Thur...
21h ago
Read More
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
With a heat wave coming to the Okanagan Valley, B.C.'s worker protection advocates remind employers that they must protect their workers.WorkSafeBC said employers must safeguard workers from the risks associated with heat and solar ultraviolet exposure."Elevated temperatures increase the risk of heat stress and he...
22h ago
Read More

What Matters

Emergency Disaster Services
Vernon Salvation Army mobile team out supporting vulnerable people
5m ago
Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
5h ago
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
22h ago
mid- to high 30s
Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan
22h ago
Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded
Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby
Jul 16, 2026