Update: 1:32 p.m.
A long-standing Kelowna store was shut down due to an attempted break-in.
L & D Meats and Deli wasn’t the original target of an early morning break-in today, but was still badly damaged.
The goal: a Bitcoin machine next door at Mike’s Produce was what the two suspects were looking for.
After the two suspects broke into the department store in the center of the village of Guisachan, they allegedly tried to steal the machine on the back wall of the store. A shop clerk stated that when they were unable to get it out, they fled, retired to L&D Meats and Deli, and punched through the front wall.
Don Favell, owner of L&D Meats and Deli, said the timing for this couldn’t have been much worse since Thanksgiving is just around the corner and customers are expecting their pre-ordered meat. Although the deli no longer has a storefront, Favell assured that people will get their orders.
“They’ll get their turkeys,” he said.
Favell has been in operation since 1996 and aside from being robbed the first year it was open, nothing like it has happened since then. Fortunately, Favell said the damage is covered by insurance. At the moment he said they are focused on moving forward.
“Trying to get it working is all we can do to take care of everyone,” he said.
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Original: 11:23 am
A foiled attempt to steal a Bitcoin ATM earlier this morning (October 7th) severely damaged a Kelowna business.
Two suspects, wanted by police, allegedly rammed a white GMC Sierra pickup into the outside entrance of the building to gain entry.
Numerous attempts to ram the building caused severe damage to the outside that will cost thousands of dollars to repair, according to the Kelowna RCMP. Police say the two suspects fled the scene in the pickup and left a tailgate behind.
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The break-and-enter attempt took place shortly after 3 a.m. in the 2000 block of Gordon Drive.
“A preliminary assessment conducted by on-site staff suggests that despite the thousands of dollars in damage caused, nothing appears to be taken out of the company because the suspects did not successfully take the Bitcoin ATM,” said Cst. Solana Paré, spokeswoman for the Kelowna RCMP. “Forensic investigators were asked to examine the scene for physical evidence.”
Anyone with any information is encouraged to contact the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. To stay completely anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net.
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Do you have anything to add to this story or anything else we should cover? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
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