Police Arrest Vernon Man After Distillery Break-In

A 39-year-old Vernon man was arrested hours after a break-in at Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery in Vernon, British Columbia, early Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. According to the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP, the suspect allegedly smashed the business's glass entrance, took two bottles, and was later found carrying what appeared to be the stolen property.

The arrest followed an investigation into substantial property damage at the distillery. Police recovered both bottles, but the items had sustained damage that rendered them unusable, according to a report published by the Salmon Arm Observer on Oct. 19.

The man faces multiple criminal charges, including break and enter with intent, possession of stolen property, and resisting arrest. The investigation remains ongoing.

Okanagan Spirits said the break-in occurred at approximately 4 a.m. on Oct. 18. Security camera footage shared by the distillery shows a man approaching the glass entrance with what appears to be a rock, scraping it across the door before throwing it through the glass.

The man then entered the premises, took two bottles, and left. The damage to the entrance prompted the business to address the incident publicly while confirming that it would continue operating.

In its social media post, Okanagan Spirits described the theft and damage while reassuring customers that the business remained open.

"Our Sunday spirits are still high… despite someone helping themselves to two proof bottles by smashing through our front door overnight. We're open for business today, with a little more ventilation than usual thanks to our new 'open concept' entrance," Okanagan Spirits Craft Distillery said.

The company also confirmed that a police file had been opened and announced a reward for information leading to an arrest. The offer was intended to support investigators and help protect neighboring businesses from similar incidents.

"A police file has been officially opened. To assist investigators and help protect neighbouring local businesses from being targeted, our family business is offering a $200 Okanagan Spirits gift certificate to the first person who provides information leading to an arrest," the distillery said.

According to Cpl. Tania Finn, the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media relations officer, the business representative contacted police to report the break-in and damage. Officers initially searched the surrounding area but did not locate the suspect or recover the stolen items during their first patrols.

Finn described how investigators used surveillance footage to identify the suspect and circulate information among officers.

"During the investigation, frontline officers viewed the video surveillance of the break-in from the business," said Cpl. Tania Finn, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP media relations officer. "Photos of the suspect were secured and shared with other police officers in the area as well as provided a list of the stolen items."

A few hours later, an officer patrolling the area encountered a man matching the suspect's description who appeared to be carrying the stolen property. When the officer attempted to arrest him, the man refused to follow police directions and tried to evade custody.

A second officer arrived to assist, and police arrested the suspect without further incident. Officers seized the recovered property as evidence, although the damage made the bottles unusable.

The arrest was reported on Oct. 19, the day after the break-in. Police continue to investigate the incident and the charges against the 39-year-old Vernon resident.