Crime

Co-workers step up efforts to support Vernon nurse badly injured in hit and run

VERNON - Co-workers continue to support a Vernon nurse left unable to walk after a hit and run last winter.  As part of an ongoing fundraiser called Robin’s Journey, co-workers have launched a silent auction to help support her financially. Organizer Tina Berg says the community’s response so far with donations has been overwhelming. “Robin...

KOOPMANS TRIAL: Bloodstains on clothing matched victim’s, court hears

PENTICTON - Bloodstains on the jeans of John Ike Koopmans were identified as his and murder victim Keith Wharton’s, jurors in the Koopmans double murder trial heard today. Christine Crossman, Biology Reporting Scientist for the RCMP Forensic Lab, took the stand March 23 to explain the specifics of DNA evidence to the jury. She told...

Summerland man enters guilty plea

PENTICTON - A Summerland man has pleaded guilty to a criminal charge stemming from an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Joshua J. Roberts entered the plea to sexual exploitation from a relationship with a 17-year-old girl that lasted for almost a year. Roberts originally faced five counts from what was described as a consensual relationship...

Former Vernon Mountie to stand trial this summer on child porn charges

VERNON - A former Vernon mountie charged with possession of child pornography will stand trial this summer. Ryan Hampton, 37, was scheduled to start his trial Mar. 2 in Vernon Supreme Court but his case has now been put over until July. It has also been moved to the Kelowna courthouse. Hampton, a former police...

This thief rips the rings right off your fingers

KELOWNA - RCMP believe there are more victims out there of a thief who poses as a jewellry buyer, then rips off the would-be seller. Several distraught victims have called 911 in recent days after man stole rings right off their fingers, Sgt. Brad Swecera says in a media release. The victims were asked to meet...

Man accused in doctor beating enters not guilty plea

PENTICTON - The man accused of brutally beating a doctor in Penticton Regional Hospital’s psychiatric ward last December says he is not guilty of the offence. Defence counsel came before Penticton court on Wednesday, March 18 to inform court of Gregory Stanley Nield’s not guilty plea and set a date for further court action. Nield...

Money from bad guys goes to the good guys in Vernon

VERNON - A new advocacy centre for abused or neglected children, training for domestic violence workers, educational initiatives around technology issues like cyber-stalking — all brought to you by previously dirty money. On behalf of the provincial government, Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster today announced five grants for three local organizations from the civil forfeiture program,...

Molotov cocktail chucked at Vernon church

VERNON - Police and the Fire Department are investigating after a molotov cocktail was thrown at the Vernon Family Church Monday night. Deputy Fire Chief Lawrie Skolrood says a nearby resident noticed a large flame around 7:30 p.m. outside the church, located on 25 Avenue, and phoned 911. “It’s very fortunate the building was stucco...

Vernon Mounties catch well armed break-in suspect

VERNON – An eagle-eyed neighbour played a role in the apprehension of a break-and-enter suspect in Vernon on the weekend. The man noticed someone rummaging through his neighbour’s truck on Mt. Fosthall Drive, Sunday, March 15, and called police. RCMP say a person matching the suspect’s description was spotted on a bicycle near the 7-Eleven...

Customer injured trying to stop armed robbery

KELOWNA – Police are looking for a teenager who hurt a bystander while trying to rob the clerk at a convenience store on Bernard Avenue early this morning. RCMP Const. Kris Clark says the boy, who appeared to be around 17-years-old, entered the 7-Eleven at 1115 Bernard Ave. at around 1:55 a.m., Monday, March 9...

Police appeal for tips after fire engulfs Vernon house

VERNON - Mounties are appealing to the public for information after a Vernon house caught fire Monday night. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said a jogger noticed flames on 25 Avenue around 8:30 p.m. and called 911. Vernon RCMP, the BX-Swan Lake Fire Department, and Vernon Emergency Management Services responded to the blaze. The home was...

KOOPMANS TRIAL: More oddities as key witness wraps up testimony

PENTICTON - The key witness in the John Ike Koopmans murder trial continued to grapple with defence lawyers under cross-examination today. Bradley Martin took the witness stand for the third day in Penticton Supreme Court on Friday, March 6. He already told the jury he overheard Koopmans arguing with two other friends, Rose Fox and...

KOOPMANS TRIAL: Mother describes finding her son shot

'I TOLD THE POLICE TO PLEASE GO HELP MY SON, HE'S STILL BREATHING....' PENTICTON - Jurors in the John Ike Koopmans murder trial heard dramatic testimony today, Feb. 3, as the mother of shooting victim Keith Wharton described finding her son and his girlfriend dead in their Princeton trailer. Carol Wharton’s voice broke as she...