BC RCMP Searching for Axe-Wielding Suspect Who Broke Into Kelowna Bookstore

An RCMP collar tab pin is seen in Edmonton, on Feb. 5, 2025. The Canadian Press/Jason Franson

RCMP in B.C. are looking for a suspect who broke into a Kelowna bookstore by breaking the glass with what appeared to be an axe.

Mosaic Books owner Alicia Neill told The Epoch Times she received a call from police about the incident on Nov. 26.

“There was glass everywhere,” she said. “It’s uncommon for them to go through both panes of glass. It’s usually just a smash for the sake of smashing glass.”

She said that this time, the suspect got away with hundreds of dollars in boxed book sets.

“When I looked at the video footage, I saw that a guy took an axe to the window,” she said.

RCMP confirmed they responded to a call at the store around 4:30 a.m.

“There was damage observed to the front window of the business that left very jagged glass making it very unlikely an individual could enter,” Cpl. Allison Konsmo said in an email to The Epoch Times.

She said that police have not made any arrests in the case.

RCMP are asking anyone with video surveillance or dash camera footage of the 400 block of Bernard Avenue from 4:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. on Nov. 26 who have not already spoken with police to contact them at 250-762-3300 and reference the file number 2025-71242.

‘Almost on a Daily Basis’

Neill said it is just another incident in what is becoming commonplace for businesses in the city.

“We deal with [theft] almost on a daily basis, a few times a week. Other times it could be daily, multiple times a day,” she said.

She said that three weeks earlier, a bookstore staff member saw someone light a pile of recycling on fire in the alleyway.

Neill said that when the individual was caught by a pedestrian, who threatened to call the police, the person said “they’re just going to release me tomorrow.”

“I’ve been downtown for 20 years working down here, and I feel completely safe outside the store, but I always feel unsafe when I’m having to tell somebody not to steal from me.”

She said in those cases, the person is usually intoxicated or causing a disturbance.

Neill said it has cost the bookstore about $10,000 for new windows over the past two and a half years.

Kelowna RCMP said they were aware of an increase in break-ins at local businesses and were actively investigating.

“We have increased patrols in affected areas and are working closely with business owners to enhance security measures,” Konsmo said. “We are committed to targeting recurring property thefts and break and enters.”

‘Street Disorder’

Kalith Nanayakkara, a senior policy analyst with the Canadian Federation of Business (CFIB), said that small businesses are already facing high costs, and having to pay for damage from crime is making it more difficult.

Nanayakkara has called on the government to compensate businesses for its failure to manage “street disorder.”

“CFIB is calling on the province to reinstate its crime and vandalism rebate program and ensure offenders are held accountable—not just invest in prevention programs,” Nanayakkara said.

The rebate program offered up to $2,000 to help businesses cover the cost of damage caused by crime. It was not part of the provincial government’s budget for 2025–26.

Nanayakkara said that 69 percent of small businesses were spending more on security to protect their businesses, with the average three-year crime-related costs per company at $5,000.