Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP suspect the same person is behind a pair of front-desk robberies from Vernon motels in less than a week.
The first robbery occurred in the early hours of Friday, Sept. 29, at the Super 8 Motel in the 4200 block of 32nd Street.
“A lone man entered the motel lobby brandishing a knife,” said RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk. “The man demanded money from the clerk and, after receiving an undisclosed amount of cash, he bear-sprayed the clerk in the face before fleeing.”
The suspect in the robbery is described as Caucasian, five-foot-nine, slender, wearing blue jeans, a black jacket and black ski mask.
Video surveillance from the Sandman Inn was seized and examined.
Four days later, on Monday, Oct. 2, an unknown man entered the lobby of the Sandman Inn, in the 4200 block of 32nd Street, just before midnight.
“The male suspect presented a knife to the front desk clerk and demanded money,” said Moskaluk. “When another employee attempted to intervene, the male suspect bear-sprayed the clerk and fled with a small amount of cash.”
The suspect male is described as Caucasian, approximately 25-40 years of age, five-foot-nine wearing a black jacket, grey pants, white shoes and a black ski mask.
“On review of the video surveillance from the Sandman Inn, the suspect appears similar to the one seen at the Super 8 Motel,” said Moskaluk.
If you have any information regarding these robberies, or the identity of the male involved, please contact the Vernon RCMP detachment at (250)-545-7171 or North Okanagan Shuswap Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.