Two men have been charged with breaking into a Kelowna home in the early hours of Monday morning before bear-spraying the occupants and stealing property.
Paul Davis Houle, 32, from Kelowna has been charged with breaking and entering and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Tyler Brice Rathbone, 34, from Lake Country has been charged with breaking and entering, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and pointing a firearm.
The duo are accused of targeting the home, which is in the 1700 block of Richter Street.
Mounties responded to a report of a break-in at about 1.14 am on the morning of July 15.
The suspects were armed with “various weapons”, police said, but appear to have used only the bear spray once they gained access to the building.
Three victims – one man and two women – were treated at the scene for exposure to the aerosol after the ordeal was over.
The suspects, who are accused of fleeing the residence with property and cash, were caught thanks to the work of a police dog.
“As a result of the subsequent investigation into the matter, carried out by the Kelowna RCMP General Investigation Section, police strongly believe that the violent break-in and robbery was targeted and not random in nature,” said Cpl Jesse O’Donaghey.
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