Update: 1:32 p.m.
A longstanding 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 badly damaged nonetheless.
The target: a Bitcoin machine next door at Mike’s Produce, was the target of the two suspects.
After breaking into the grocery store in the center of the village of Guisachan, the two suspects allegedly attempted to steal the machine that was on the back wall of the store. A shop clerk explained that when they couldn’t find out, they fled, returned to L&D Meats and Deli, and punched through the front wall.
L&D Meats and Deli owner Don Favell said the timing couldn’t have been much worse with Thanksgiving around the corner and customers awaiting their pre-ordered meat. Even though the deli no longer has a storefront, Favell assured people that people were getting their orders.
“They’ll get their turkeys,” he said.
Favell has been in operation since 1996 and aside from being robbed in the first year it opened, nothing like it has happened since then. Fortunately, Favell said the damage is covered by insurance. For now, he said, they are focused on moving forward.
“Trying to get it working is all we can do to take care of them all,” he said.
management
Original: 11:23 am
A foiled attempt to steal a Bitcoin ATM this morning (October 7th) severely damaged a store in Kelowna.
Two suspects wanted by police allegedly rammed a white GMC Sierra pickup truck 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. According to the police, the two suspects fled the scene with the pickup and left a tailgate.
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The break-in attempt took place shortly after 3 a.m. in the 2000 block of Gordon Drive.
“A preliminary assessment carried out by on-site staff suggests that despite the thousands of dollars in damage caused, nothing appears to have been withdrawn from the company because the suspects did not take the Bitcoin ATM,” said Cst. Solana Paré, spokeswoman for the Kelowna RCMP. “Forensic investigators were called in to examine the crime scene for physical evidence.”
Anyone with 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 post a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net.
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Do you have anything else to add to this story, or should we tell you something else? Email: phil.mclachlan@kelownacapnews.com
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