It was a busy weekend for Cecil’s Perogies — just not the kind the owners were hoping for.

Owner Jonathan Warwaruck said his phone “was ringing off the hook” after the family-run restaurant on Richter Street was broken into early Saturday morning.

Police say the first incident happened around 6 a.m. Then, just 24 hours later, it happened again.

“The front door was smashed in and they stole pop,” Warwaruck said. “The second time they came back and took more stuff.”

Kelowna RCMP say they’ve already gathered surveillance footage and are working with nearby businesses to identify the suspect.

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“We did get some video and we’re working with the owner to get more,” said Cpl. Steven Lang. “Some businesses have really good footage, so we were able to make efforts right away.”

While the items stolen were of relatively low value, the damage left behind is far more costly. The front window was shattered, and parts of the interior were destroyed, including a Ukrainian display case near the back of the store.

Warwaruck says in more than three decades of business, he’s never experienced anything like this.

“It’s getting really bad in this town. This was the first time we’ve been broken into in 33 years,” he said.

He adds his neighbours haven’t been as lucky.

“The sushi place next door had their window smashed last week, and other nearby businesses have also been hit,” he said. “There have been a few break-ins in this area. It’s getting out of hand.”

The concern is one being echoed by businesses across Kelowna, as many continue to speak out about rising crime and public disorder in recent months.

In response, RCMP say they’ve increased their presence in key areas, working alongside city bylaw officers on joint patrols in the downtown core and Rutland neighbourhood.

“We have specific RCMP patrols at least five days a week in those areas,” Lang said.

Police add that 12 officers were deployed over the weekend, focusing on both education and enforcement as part of ongoing efforts to address crime in the community.

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When Kelowna, B.C., Mayor Tom Dyas took the city’s top priorities to Victoria this week, they included social disorder concerns.

Dyas met with provincial ministers, including Attorney General Nikki Sharma.

Among the things Dyas advocated for included more Crown prosecutors and an involuntary compassionate care facility.

However, the mayor stopped at asking for more RCMP funding to help bolster RCMP resources.

“At this particular point in time we are not asking for more police officers,” Dyas told Global News at the legislature in Victoria Thursday.

“We deal with that through our normal budget process and we’ve gone through the budget process at this point in time.”

The 2026 budget has allocated funding for four additional RCMP officers, but according to the detachment’s officer-in-charge, far more are needed to meet current policing needs.

“We require more police officers to meet the service levels that’s expected from the community,” Supt. Chris Goebel said when addressing council on Feb. 9.

When asked by city councillor Ron Cannan how many more are needed, Goebel said more than 30.

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“To meet the summer call response, as well as the front-line call response and to add sufficient foot patrols to meet the need, about 32 officers,” Goebel said.

Dyas declined Global News’ request for an interview to explain why he didn’t ask for more RCMP dollars while in Victoria.

“If the professional assessment is telling us that we need 32, that’s a gap,” said Rhonda Lindsay, owner of Train Station Pub. “Clearly we need to do something. Kelowna is growing and we have to grow with it.”

Lindsay is just one of many business operators where social disorder is having ongoing impacts.

“Broken windows, broken-into cars, broken-into equipment,” Lindsay said when describing regular occurrences.

2:16
Rutland urging increased police support

In the city’s Rutland area, where crime is top of mind, residents also voiced concerns about the need for more policing resources.

“We do need more, especially with what’s going on with the homeless and drug people,” said Rutland resident Shannon Doherty.

“They definitely need more cops in the area,” said Rick Wabi, another Rutland resident. “They have to re-shuffle some of the money, I guess.”

While many agree that policing is only one part of the solution to social disorder and repeat offenders, it’s a piece many don’t want to see fall behind.

“Kelowna is an incredible city and we need to give it the care that it deserves and that is with policing. It’s with mental health support. It’s with dealing with all of our from prosecutors,” said Lindsay. “It’s a full package.”

2:11
Kelowna launches overnight security patrol

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An early-morning armed robbery in Kelowna, B.C.’s, Rutland neighbourhood jolted residents awake Tuesday as officers descended on a McCurdy Road home believed to be connected to the crime.

Around 5 a.m., Kelowna RCMP say two individuals allegedly robbed the One Stop on Rutland Road North at gunpoint before fleeing on foot.

Cpl. Steven Lang said, “Officers arriving at the scene flooded the area and, with the assistance of a police K9 unit, determined there was a resident in the 300 block of McCurdy Road that is believed to be connected to the robbery.”

Police and members of the Emergency Response Team then moved in on 330 McCurdy Road, where 10 people were taken into custody.

“Of the 10 that were arrested, four of the individuals still are in police custody. No charges have been laid or recommended at this point,” Lang said.

Neighbour Martin Stairs described waking up to flashing lights and officers lining the street.

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“My wife woke me up and the whole street was covered in cop cars all over the place. They did have their guns drawn,” he said.

One of those arrested and later released was Chadwick Milnthorp, who rents the home.

“They arrested all of us in the household, not sure what reason,” he said.

2:16
Rutland urging increased police support

The incident marks the second major police action at the property in less than two weeks. On Feb. 12, RCMP and the Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at the same address.

“There was some items seized and persons identified. In terms of the charges or what comes of that, I can’t speak to at this point,” Lang said.

Milnthorp claims the property has been the subject of frequent visits from authorities.

“Between the RCMP and bylaw we’re looking at 32 or 33 times they’ve been here in the last nine months. For what reason, I guess we did have some loud music once in a while,” he said.

The property is partly owned by Kelowna city councillor Mohini Singh, who holds a quarter share. Singh said she issued the two tenants a 10-day eviction notice on Feb. 13 following the first raid and was unaware of the number of people frequenting the home.

“Since the first raid I’ve done everything I could to get rid of the tenants from there because it’s not fair. It’s not fair to the community, it’s not fair to the neighbours,” she said.

Singh has filed for an emergency eviction through the Residential Tenancy Branch and is pushing to have the tenants removed in the coming days.

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