Image Credit: CFJC Today

By James Peters

Theft Suspect

Machete-wielding Kamloops theft suspect arrested with help from local vigilantes

Apr 28, 2020 | 2:59 PM

KAMLOOPS — A theft suspect was arrested in Kamloops Tuesday (Apr. 28) after the victim of the theft spotted him downtown.

According to a news release from Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Jodi Shelkie, the incident began this morning, when a person reported a smashed vehicle window along Lorne Street, with a number of items missing from inside.

Surveillance cameras showed a man on a BMX bike carrying out the damage and theft.

Later, at around 12:00 noon, the owner of the vehicle and some of her friends spotted a person matching the suspect’s description riding a BMX bike in the 700-block of St. Paul Street.

When one of her friends approached the bike and tried to stop the man, he allegedly pulled out a machete.

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The friend pulled the suspect off his bike, and Shelkie says another friend “secured” the machete.

The suspect re-mounted his bike and rode away as RCMP members arrived. They caught up with him a few blocks away when he left the bike and tried to run on foot.

When Mounties arrested him, all of the stolen items from the car were found on him.

Shelkie says crime victims taking apprehension of a suspect into their own hands is not wise.

“We don’t recommend that citizens try to apprehend a suspect,” said Shelkie. “In this case, the suspect had a machete. Luckily, no one was injured and the officers were able to take the suspect into custody.”

A 46-year-old Kamloops man is facing charges.