Off-duty officer, social media reports assist in arrest of B&E suspect

Sep 8, 2022 | 2:40 PM

An off-duty Kelowna RCMP officer, and posts on social media, were instrumental in apprehending a suspect in a daytime break and enter.

RCMP responded to the 1000 block of Aldon Rd. to investigate a B&E at the home of an elderly resident just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

The victim stated that a window was smashed and various drawers had been rummaged through while they were out of the house for two hours.

Several personal belongings were reported stolen, including heirloom jewellery and cash.

Mounties collected evidence and video footage of the male suspect, which was then shared by news outlets and on social media.

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On Wednesday, the suspect from the surveillance footage was spotted by an off-duty officer entering a yard of a neighbour known to be away in the same area as the B&E.

The officer called the homeowner and learned that they were not expecting visitors, then confronted the suspect who was unable to provide a reasonable explanation as to why he was on the property.

Working with the RCMP’s Proactive Enforcement Team, the male was confirmed as the suspect from the previous incident, and officers were called in to the scene.

The suspect, a 37-year-old Edmonton resident, was arrested for breaking and entering. A subsequent search of his person uncovered the property stolen from the elderly victim.

Mounties say the man had previously been convicted of over 20 criminal offences in Alberta between 2006 and 2022.

The suspect had attempted to change his appearance from the images shared on social media and by news outlets, but was given away by distinctive footwear the was wearing both at the time of the B&E and when confronted by the off-duty officer.

“This is a prime example of neighbours taking care of neighbours. Working together as a community looking out for one another increases a sense of security, safety and assists the police in doing their job,” said Cst. Mike Della-Paolera Media Relations Officer with the Kelowna RCMP.

“This is the tenth arrest of a priority property offenders in the last 10 days by the Kelowna RCMP Regional Detachment. Of the ten arrests, four individuals were held in custody, two were released by the police on undertakings and four were released by the courts.”

The Edmonton man was remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear in court Thursday afternoon.

by Liam Verster

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