Police investigating pair of robberies

RCMP not sure if crimes committed Wednesday in Penticton and Keremeos are connected

RCMP are investigating if two robberies that occurred this week in the South Okanagan are connected.

Keremeos RCMP arrested a lone male suspected of holding up the village’s Subway outlet at around 4:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

A man entered the Keremeos Subway restaurant and after ordering food, displayed what is believed to have been a gun. He then took the food and fled the restaurant.

Police say the man was then involved in  a head-on collision on Highway 3 just south of  the village limits, just minutes after being involved in a hit and run near the restaurant.

A 31-year-old Cawston resident was arrested at the scene and taken to Penticton Regional Hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

He has been charged with robbery, dangerous driving and failing to remain at the scene of an accident, and has been remanded in custody.

Sgt. Rick Dellebuur of the Penticton RCMP said on Wednesday, at approximately 2:30 p.m., police received a report of a robbery at Britannia Pies located at 106-78 Industrial Ave. W. in Penticton.

“A male entered the business and demanded money,” said Dellebuur.

He said the suspect displayed what appeared to be a handgun in the waistband of his pants, and the employee gave the suspect a small amount of cash from the till.

Dellebuur said the suspect fled the scene on foot and investigation has revealed he got into a vehicle at a nearby strip mall.

RCMP describe the man as six feet tall, 200 pounds, wearing a brown T-shirt with yellow writing on the back and baggy jeans.

“The investigation is continuing and we are not sure at this time whether or not it is linked to the robbery at 4:40 p.m. in Keremeos,” said Dellebuur.

 

 

— With files from Steve Arstad, Keremeos Review

Penticton Western News