Police were quick to track down a thief whose luck ran out on a winning scratch-and-win ticket.
Merritt RCMP received two calls of break and enters that occurred overnight on Feb. 26 — one in the Collettville area and another near Voght Park.
Among the items reported stolen from the residences was a $2-winning scratch ticket, which had been signed by its owner.
From that, RCMP were able to locate video of a man cashing in the ticket.
Police apprehended the man that same day without incident.
Upon searching the suspect and executing a search warrant on his residence, police discovered some of the stolen items and charged a 27-year-old Merritt man with two counts of break and enter and possession of a controlled substance.
The suspect remains in police custody and is awaiting a bail hearing.
The file is still under investigation.
RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore said that some of the stolen items were returned, but bigger ticket items such as an iPod, TV and computers were not recovered.
10 CARS DAMAGED
Merritt RCMP are looking for a man responsible for damaging 10 vehicles along Quilchena Avenue.
The suspect caused about $2,500 in damages through minor vandalism such as breaking car mirrors.
RCMP Const. Tracy Dunsmore said a witness saw the man damage his daughter’s car and described him as 5-foot-4, and wearing a black leather jacket and blue jeans.
The witness saw the man punching cars as he walked down the road toward Houston Street at about 3 a.m. on Feb. 28, Dunsmore said.
Anyone with any information on this is asked to call Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
