Suspected Meat Thief Brandishes Knife, Then Flees

Kelowna RCMP are looking for a suspect who brandished a knife when confronted by store staff during an alleged theft two weeks ago.

Police say the incident occurred at the Safeway store on the 2300 block of Highway 97 on December 13th, just after 9 p.m.

The staff confronted the man after he was observed hiding raw meat.

He drew out a knife and then fled on foot with the merchandise.

“Store employees chose to confront the male in an effort to prevent the theft,” said RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Those employees were forced to back off, when the suspect brandished a knife, allowing him to flee on foot with the unpaid merchandise.”

Staff followed the suspect at a distance on foot towards Underhill Street, where they eventually lost sight of him.

Police patrols failed to find him.

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing a dark coloured hoodie, a grey baseball cap, a baggy pair of pants, a pair of black shoes with white soles and carrying a black bag.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Or remain completely anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or by leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net