Revelstoke RCMP today issued a news release on an urban-style incident we hope won’t be repeated anytime soon.
“The local detachment received a report on August 20 at 4:35 am that a local resident had chased an unknown male out of his home,” Staff Sgt. Jacquie Olsen said in the statement.
The homeowner, whom she declined to identify, heard a noise in the wee hours of the morning and when he checked the house he found a stranger — a man described as 25 with short blonde hair, wearing jeans, a long-sleeved shirt and work gloves — in the home. “When the homeowner confronted the male he asked what it is he wanted,” Olsen said in the news release. “The unknown male indicated he wanted food, then he ran off.”
A search by the homeowner and police failed to locate the stranger.
“It is believed that entry was gained via an unlocked door,” Olsen said. “Nothing was taken or damaged during this break and enter.”
She said police urge everyone to ensure that all their doors are locked when they are not at home and at night time.
“During hot weather even the ground floor windows should be secured to ensure unwanted guest do not gain entry,” Olsen said. If anyone has any information as to the identity of this male, they are asked to contact the local detachment as 250.837.5255 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
It’s easy to imagine that Revelstoke is largely untouched by the kind of criminal behaviour that plagues the big city. But increasingly that seems like wishful thinking. The days when local people could safely leave their homes and vehicles unlocked are long gone.
