Kelowna man arrested twice in as many weeks over break-ins, police say

The Kelowna RCMP detachment is seen in an undated CTV News file image.

A 44-year-old Kelowna man has been held in custody after his second arrest in as many weeks, according to local Mounties.

Curtis McNaught was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning after Kelowna RCMP officers were called to the 500 block of Bernard Avenue for a “mischief in progress,” the detachment said in a news release issued in the day.

Officers arrived at the scene within three minutes of receiving the 911 call, allowing them to arrest the suspect and bring him before the courts.

McNaught was charged with mischief under $5,000, possession of break-in instruments and breaching a release order. He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to make his next court appearance in Kelowna on Jan. 21.

McNaught’s initial court appearance on Friday was his second in as many weeks, according to Kelowna RCMP.

The detachment said he was arrested on an outstanding warrant on Jan. 9 and released later that day with conditions, one of which was not to possess break-in tools. The warrant was for breaking and entering at a Kelowna business, police said.

“McNaught’s recent criminal history shows convictions of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose, theft, break and enter and mischief,” the news release reads.

It also includes a comment from Supt. Chris Goebel, the officer in charge of Kelowna RCMP, who said cases like McNaught’s highlight the need for “stronger bail reform.”

“When repeat property offenders are released multiple times in a short period, it places ongoing strain on victims, local businesses, and front-line officers,” Goebel said, in the release.

“Strengthening bail reform is not about being punitive, it’s about ensuring the justice system has the tools to address persistent offending and support community confidence in public safety.”