Repeat offender apprehended in Kelowna

Kelowna RCMP have reportedly arrested a known repeat offender.

Just after 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, Mounties responded to a report of a suspect breaking and entering into a retail store in the 1200 bock of Cannery Lane by smashing the front glass door.

The police said employees recognized the suspect on the live CCTV feed and were able to locate the man with the stolen items nearby prior to the RCMP arriving.

Officers were appraised of the suspect’s location, and the man was arrested. Additional stolen items from the store were recovered from his person by police.

Justin Wayne Collins, a 46-year-old known repeat offender, was taken into custody and charged with Break and Enter.

The break and enter reportedly occurred only several hours after his release from court where he had been charged with several other offences including Theft and Mischief stemming from incidents on May 22nd and 23rd in Kelowna.

“Justin Collins is a prime example of a repeat offender who has shown he is simply unwilling to stop committing crime and victimizing our businesses and downtown core” Cpl. Michael Gauthier, Media Relations Officer, stated.

“A collaboration between attuned business owners, the police and the BC Prosecution Service has resulted in this individual remaining in custody over the weekend whilst seeking further detention.”

Collins will appear in court Monday, May 29.