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Vernon car theft prompts kind RCMP gesture

Car returned but some family items lost, police collect funds to replace
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Vernon North Okanagan RCMP made a young boy’s day a little brighter after his family’s car was stolen, along with some possessions inside. (RCMP photo)

In a heartwarming act of kindness, several Vernon RCMP officers went above and beyond to brighten the day of a local family.

Police received a report of a theft of a vehicle from the parking lot of a business in the 4900-block of 27th Street in Vernon on April 6, around 5 p.m. Shortly after receiving the call, police located the stolen vehicle nearby. A 32-year-old woman was later arrested and faces potential criminal charges in relation to the theft.

The story doesn’t end there. When police returned the vehicle to the owner, they learned that a number of personal items belonging to the family were still missing and the officers that responded to the call decided they wanted to do something to help the young family. They took up a collection and together with donations from other officers working at the time, raised enough of their own money to purchase some toys and replace several of the items stolen.

“We did it because we wanted to, not because we had to,” said Const. Joel Kooger, one of the officers involved in organizing the kind gesture. “We just wanted to make the most of the opportunity, to make their day better, and to show we really do care.”

Judging by the smile on the young man’s face, it looks like it worked.

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Jennifer Smith

About the Author: Jennifer Smith

Vernon has always been my home, and I've been working at The Morning Star since 2004.
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