Vernon RCMP may finally have a break after a rash of recent break-and-enters at local residences.
Police received a call from a homeowner on Saturday, just before 5 p.m., that a man had just taken off from her residence in the 2900 block of Prospect Drive on a bicycle.
“The owner said the suspect was inside the house, stole various items, and when she confronted him in the backyard, he dropped his backpack and left,” said RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
“Our officers arrived at her house while other members patrolled the area.”
Inside the backpack was a laptop computer which the owner identified as hers.
A short distance away near 43rd Street and 24th Avenue, officers arrested a 32-year-old male suspect who is well-known to police officers.
He was arrested for break and enter, and possession of a prohibited weapon, though Molendyk could not say what the weapon was.
Police are continuing to work on this case and determine if this suspect is linked to other property crimes that have recently taken place in the city.
“We’ve had a rash of break-and-enters where a bicycle has been involved,” said Molendyk.
“In some cases a suspect will steal a bicycle to commit a property crime then dump the bicycle. We’re following up on a number of issues in relation to that.”
