Vernon Armed Robbery

Ballcap worn by suspect (Photo: RCMP)

by Kelly Hayes - Story: 32279 July 30, 2007 Castanet

Vernon RCMP are investigating an armed robbery that left two young employees rattled. The incident happened late Sunday evening at the Okanagan Store on Okanagan Landing Road where a man threatened the two workers with a knife. "The suspect entered the premise shortly after 8:00 PM. He was wearing a ball cap, blue hoodie and green latex gloves," says Corporal Henry Proce. "He went directly to the victim without hesitation and demanded money. He held the knife to the victim’s neck. The suspect grabbed the cash from the till when it was opened by a second employee on scene. The suspect fled on foot but a witness reports him getting into an older, noisy, white sedan with an ‘N’ on the rear." Proce says the victim who had the knife pointed at his throat is only 15. The other employee is 18. Proce says the two workers were so rattled by the robbery, they locked up and left the store before police arrived - fearing the robber might come back. Police recovered the knife, hoodie, ball cap and tire iron all in and around the scene. The ball cap is distinctive as it is white with a brown brim and a New York Islanders patch sewn onto the front. The suspect is described as 6' - 6'2" tall, Caucasian, about 20 years old, short brown hair and with a possibly misformed jaw or mouth. The suspect did his best to hide his facial features with the hoodie during the course of the robbery.