RCMP hope to reunite Summerland man with missing wheelchair

RCMP are asking for assistance to reunite a Summerland resident with their stolen wheelchair.

The first photograph below shows Suspect #2 on the left and Suspect #1 riding a motorized shopping cart on the right; The second photograph below shows Suspect #1 in his own wheelchair as he entered the stores east entrance. The video has been edited by RCMP — the first frame shows the suspects leaving the store together with the victims wheelchair; the second frame shows Suspect #1 entering the store on his wheelchair and the third frame shows Suspect #1 walking and Suspect #2 on the motorized shopping cart as they enter the store together prior to the theft

The first photograph below shows Suspect #2 on the left and Suspect #1 riding a motorized shopping cart on the right; The second photograph below shows Suspect #1 in his own wheelchair as he entered the stores east entrance. The video has been edited by RCMP — the first frame shows the suspects leaving the store together with the victims wheelchair; the second frame shows Suspect #1 entering the store on his wheelchair and the third frame shows Suspect #1 walking and Suspect #2 on the motorized shopping cart as they enter the store together prior to the theft




The video has been edited by RCMP — the first frame shows the suspects leaving the store together with the victims wheelchair; the second frame shows Suspect #1 entering the store on his wheelchair and the third frame shows Suspect #1 walking and Suspect #2 on the motorized shopping cart as they enter the store together prior to the theft.

RCMP are asking for assistance to reunite a Summerland resident with their stolen wheelchair.

“In reviewing the video surveillance footage, it appears as though the suspect knowingly left the store in someone else’s mobility aid device, while leaving his own behind,” said Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey. “Of course, there is a possibility that the suspect was confused and mistook the victim’s mobility aid device for his own.”

Video surveillance footage obtained by RCMP shows a male suspect entering the east entrance of the West Kelowna Walmart in a wheelchair. He leaves his wheelchair at the east entrance and climbs onto a motorized shopping cart accompanied by a second male suspect. Sometime later both suspects are then observed at the west entrance/exit of the store and one of the males retrieves the victims wheelchair. The first suspect is assisted into the victims wheelchair and then pushed out of the store.

The investigation is ongoing and police are interested in speaking with the unknown woman, seen wearing the black and white checkered sweater, who awaited the use of the motorized shopping cart left behind by the suspects.

The first male suspect is described as male, possibly First Nations with long dark brown or black hair and wearing a plaid jacket, black toque, blue jeans and brown footwear.

The second suspect is described as male, possibly First Nations, with long dark brown or black hair. He had a full goatee and was wearing a tan/beige coloured coat with a hood, a black T-shirt, light blue jeans and white shoes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Kelowna RCMP at 250-768-2880, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net.

The first photograph above shows Suspect #2 on the left and Suspect #1 riding a motorized shopping cart on the right; The second photograph at left hows Suspect #1 in his own wheelchair as he entered the stores east entrance.

Penticton Western News