RCMP are investigating a robbery that occurred in the early evening hours on Jan. 22, at a local Vernon business.
The attempted robbery occurred at the Sleep Country Canada, where a man allegedly entered the store to make inquiries about cheap mattresses before producing a knife and demanding the employee to get behind the counter and on the ground.
The employee then had his hands and feet bound with clear packing tape by the suspect male.
"Fortunately there were no customers in the store at the time of the robbery and the victim sustained no injuries from being bound," Says Cst. Kelly Brett. "The suspect fled on foot with an undisclosed amount of cash and once the suspect fled, the employee broke free from the restraints and was able to call the Police."
RCMP set up containment of the area and the Vernon RCMP Police Service Dog was called to the scene to assist with a search for the suspect, who was not located.
The suspect male is described to Police as:
The knife used in the robbery is described as a hunting knife with a 4 - 5 inch blade with a green handle and a crescent moon shape carved out of the tip.
"Investigators are asking businesses in the area to review any surveillance footage which may have captured the suspect as he arrived and departed after committing the robbery," said Brett. "Being that the store is well lit and that it was dark outside, the chances of the general public seeing something through the large storefront windows is very possible."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at 250-545-7171. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or leaving a tip online at www.nokscrimestoppers.com
