Merritt mounties are searching for suspects in relation to a recent break-in to the Courtesy Corner store in Lower Nicola.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Jan. 20, Const. Tracy Dunsmore said.
Security footage indicates the suspect first visited the store around 2:00 a.m. and removed the lock from the door, then returned just before 5:00 a.m. to steal approximately $7,000 worth of cigarettes, $2,000 worth of cigars, and $1,000 in cash.
The store’s video surveillance revealed one suspect who appears to be a male, as well as a Dodge 4×4 pickup truck that appears to be dark green or maroon.
The incident is similar to a break-in to the The Lemonade Stand RCMP attended to in December 2018.
“In that one there was a male and a female, but very similar in that they came, punched the lock, left and came back later and stole cigarettes,” Dunsmore said, noting police never ended up tracking down the culprits of that crime.
Dunsmore said the suspect of this week’s break-in could be travelling, but urges anyone who recognizes the suspect, vehicle, or hears of anyone selling discounted cigarettes to contact Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Security footage photos are shown below, courtesy of Merritt RCMP.
