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(UPDATE: March 22 @ 11:53 am) - The Kelowna RCMP continues to investigate the theft of an orange SkyTrak Telehandler 10054 from a construction site in the 2100-block of Optic Court on March 19.
Police were advised the male suspect entered the site on foot from the highway side and then loaded the machine onto a semi truck and flat deck, which was parked nearby on the corner of Pier Mac Way and Lochrem Road.
“The Kelowna RCMP is fully engaged and will use every investigational avenue in an effort to bring those involved to justice and return the equipment to its rightful owners,” says Cst. Mike Della-Paolera, the media relations officer with the Kelowna RCMP.
Anyone who witnessed the theft or has dash camera footage from Sunday night between 9 and 10 pm from the general area or along Highway 97N is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP at (250) 762-3300 and reference file number 2023-14822.
It is also possible to report anonymously through the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or leave a tip online at crimestoppers.net.
(Original Story: March 21 @ 4:45 pm) - A telehandler was stolen from a Kelowna construction site on Sunday night.
The theft occurred at 9:20 pm on March 19 on Optic Court, and Brandon Rempel, the machine’s owner and general contractor responsible for the site, says he’s not hopeful it will be returned.
“We got video surveillance of the guy coming onto the site, smashing the window of the telehandler, starting it up and driving it off our site,” Rempel explains. “They had a semi parked down the road with a flatbed, and they loaded it onto the semi and drove off.”
“I think it was definitely organized and not just a one-off.”
Officers investigating the scene found footprints and called forensics for support.
“They probably called forensics due to the value of the theft,” Rempel says, adding that the stolen unit is worth $80,000.
Depending on the model, telehandlers can be up to $250,000.
The stolen machine has the ability to lift 10,000 lbs and extend 50 feet high.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Kelowna RCMP and reference file number 2023-14822.
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