Police seek suspect in 3 Kelowna-area golf course break-ins

Police shared this image of the suspect with their release. (Kelowna RCMP)

Police in the Okanagan are asking the public for help as they investigate what they describe as “a rash of break-and-enters into local golf course pro shops.”

Three different courses – one in West Kelowna and the other two in Kelowna – had their pro shops broken into over the last month and a half, Kelowna RCMP said in a news release Wednesday.

The first incident occurred June 5 at Shannon Lake Golf Course in West Kelowna. Around 12:55 a.m., a suspect broke in and took “several golf clubs, a golf bag and other items,” police said.

Eleven days later, on June 16, a suspect broke into the pro shop at Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club shortly after 1:20 a.m. Again, the suspect stole multiple clubs and a golf bag, along with “other golf-related items,” according to police.

The most recent break-in occurred on July 11 around midnight, police said. The suspect in this case broke into The Okanagan Golf Club pro shop and stole “several clubs and putters,” among other things.

Mounties said all three break-ins were “very similar in nature,” and in both Kelowna incidents, the suspect arrived and departed on an e-bike. They said they’re looking for “a suspect or suspects” in their investigation, but suggested they believe the same person is responsible for all three incidents.

“The offender appears to know exactly where they are going as they enter the pro shop, immediately heading to the area of the high-end golf clubs, taking the ones they want, and then quickly departing,” said Cpl. Guillaume Tanguay, in the release.

“All of the items this suspect takes are top-of-the-line clubs, including a significant number of Scotty Cameron putters.”

Police are asking anyone with information on these incidents who has not already spoken to police to contact the Kelowna Central Okanagan RCMP detachment at 250-762-3300. Tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.