One of Vernon's busiest intersections was the site of an unusual heist. Sometime late Thursday night or early Friday morning, a metal bench at 30th Avenue and 30th Street went missing. "All that's left is four bolts," said Gord Molendyk, with the Safe Communities Unit. Removing the bench would have required some effort because of its weight. "It would have taken a couple of guys to lift it and they would need a truck," said Molendyk,
adding the bench was located in a visible area, near night clubs and pubs. "Somebody had to see it happening." The Downtown Vernon Association was made aware of the situation by a merchant Friday morning. "It's frustrating and very unfortunate," said Malcom Dunn, DVA president. Dunn admits that the theft caught him off guard because the location is one of the busiest in the downtown core.The bench, which was installed as part of downtown revitalization, is valued at $1,800. "We've never had this situation happen before so it's quite a surprise," said Alicia Kay, DVA marketing/events co-ordinator. There is no indication as to why the bench was targeted. "We went for a drive around downtown because we thought it might be in an alley but we couldn't find it." The DVA hopes the bench will be returned so it doesn't have to go to the expense of purchasing a new one. The bench is a chocolate brown colour and it may have a sponsor's plaque on the back rest. Anyone with information about this theft is asked to call the Vernon RCMP or Crime Stoppers.
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