Firearms seized in police raid on Jan. 13. (Submitted photo/RCMP)

By Pete McIntyre

$300,000 in stolen items

RCMP recover heavy equipment, prohibited weapons and vintage dirt bike

Jan 27, 2022 | 1:00 PM

Police have recovered an estimated $300,000 worth of stolen equipment and firearms at properties in Lake Country and Penticton.

The Kelowna RCMP Target Team, with assistance from local detachments, executed three search warrants on undisclosed sites on Jan. 13. It was part of an investigation that began a month earlier when the Target Team began to look into thefts of heavy equipment throughout the Southeast District.

“During these searches, officers recovered a significant amount of equipment and items that included nine trailers ranging from utility to travel trailers, a CAT skid steer, a utility task vehicle, tools, and 18 firearms, as well as a crossbow, were also recovered,” said RCMP media relations officer Cpl. Tammy Lobb.

The estimated value of the stolen property is $300,000.

A 28-year-old man from Lake Country was arrested with the following charges being recommended to the BC Prosecution Service:

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• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Break and Enter Committing Theft Over $5000.00 (three counts)
• Possession of Property Obtained by Crime (four counts)
• Driving While Prohibited (eight counts)

Another seizure took place on Jan.19, when the Kelowna RCMP Drugs and Organized Crime Section executed a search warrant at a residence in the 3000 block of Elliott Road in West Kelowna. That was tied to an investigation into a suspect who was believed to be in possession of prohibited weapons.

The search was conducted with assistance from West Kelowna RCMP, Southeast District Emergency Response Team, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the Canada Border Services Agency.

“During the search, officers seized a loaded handgun, multiple magazines of ammunition, and two firearm suppressors. Officers also located 10 ounces of suspected cocaine and 10 ounces of suspected methamphetamine, cash and materials consistent with drug trafficking,” Lobb stated.

Firearm supressor seized by police on Jan. 19 in West Kelowna. (Submitted photo/RCMP)

A 49-year-old man was arrested at the site with charges of trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm and importation of a prohibited device being recommended.

The most recent seizure occurred on Jan. 21 when Kelowna Mounties 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 determined the dirt bike had been stolen earlier that morning during a break and enter into a business on Clement Avenue. The driver was arrested for being in possession of stolen property and upon further investigation, officers also recovered cheques and electronics that had been stolen during the break and enter,” Lobb said.

A 37-year-old man was remanded into custody and could face charges of possession of property obtained by crime and break and enter.

“These are just three examples of the outstanding work performed by our officers this month,” said Superintendent Kara Triance, the officer in charge of the Kelowna Regional Detachment. “We are committed to keeping our communities safe by reducing property crime and bringing prolific offenders before the courts”.