Friday night robberies keep North Okanagan police busy

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 03, 2012 11:00 AM

"It was a horrible night for our officers." Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk spoke to media Monday morning about four robberies that took place in a six-hour period Friday night. The first was an attempted robbery just before 5 p.m. at The Pizza Factory located on the corner of 43rd Avenue and 29th Street beside MacDonald Park. The suspect did not get any cash. Description: 5-foot-2 male, 160-pounds, mid-20s, believed to be either First Nations or Hispanic with short hair and pock-marked face.
In Enderby, at 5:05 p.m., police responded to a report of two men attempting to rob Enderby Jewellers in the 600 block of Cliff Avenue. One of the men produced a gun and demanded jewelry, including diamonds. The clerk produced a tray of jewelry but when the suspect realized they weren't diamonds, he and another man left the store. They were not found. Descriptions: First suspect older man, 5-foot-10, slim build, late 40s, perhaps reddish toned goatee, white dress shirt, black brimmed hat similar to cowboy hat but not as big or wide, black pants, no jacket. Second suspect: 6-foot, 180-pounds, tanned looking skin, black hoody with CANADA written across front in white and red lettering, hood pulled up over head.
At 7 p.m. in Vernon, police responded to a report of a robbery at Quality Greens, in the 4800 block of Anderson Way, where a man entered the store at closing time, produced a bag on the counter and told the clerk to give him the cash. As the suspect fled, an employee of the store chased after the suspect, caught him but was hit on the head by the suspect, who fled on foot northbound on Anderson Way. The employee suffered a minor injury. Description: Caucasian male, mid-20s, clean-shaven, wearing a red or orange jacket with black sleeves and black on the shoulders, lighter blue jeans, black toque and gloves.
And, shortly after 11 p.m., police in Armstrong reported to a report of a robbery at the Anchor Inn Liquor Store in the 2500 block of Pleasant Valley Boulevard. The clerk said two men stole cash and the clerk's vehicle. They also bound the clerk's hands and made him lie on the floor. Descriptions: First suspect wearing full red snowsuit with a toque and gloves. Second suspect wearing blue jacket, gloves and a ball cap.
Police are looking to see if the two robberies in Armstrong and Enderby may be connected. They do not believe there's any connection between the two attempts in Vernon.
Anybody with any information on any of the robberies is asked to call the Vernon RCMP detachment at 250-545-7171, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.