The owner of Stereo Warehouse on West Victoria Street in Kamloops says she was threatened multiple times by one man over the weekend.
Mindy Sandhu says just before 4:00 p.m. on Saturday a man entered the store without a mask and was asked to leave. As he was walking out of the store he became loud and belligerent.
“He is actually maybe 20 or 30 feet away from me and backing up and with his hand gestures he said ‘I am going to slit your throat’… And then Sunday when Nina [Mindy’s sister] and I came at 12:00 we opened the store. Nina is opening up the stereo side, I am opening up the gallery store and I hear a commotion in front of the door. (The same man is there) swearing and profanity. My keys were literally in the door to open it. If I had opened that door, that man was right in front of there.”
Sandhu says she called 9-1-1 to report the initial incident and asked to lay charges. Because the man had left, Sandhu says police told her that they would get someone to contact her later and, if the man came back, to call 9-1-1 again for assistance.
She says the store was supposed to be open until 6:00 p.m. Saturday evening, but she ended up closing early due as she was rattled by what took place, so they closed up and ended up leaving 30 minutes early. Police got in touch with her at around 5:45 p.m.
Sandhu says she called police again on the general police line to report the Sunday incident.
Kamloops RCMP sent an Radio NL a statement.
“On Nov. 28, at 4 p.m., RCMP was called to a business on the 100-block of Victoria Street for a report of a man who was asked to leave a store for not wearing a non-medical mask or face covering. The suspect allegedly made some threats while departing the business and his physical description was provided to front line officers. Due to other calls for service our officers were not able to immediately respond to the area. Front line officers were able to conduct patrols for the suspect afterwards, but he was not located. Details were obtained and a criminal investigation was initiated,” Sgt Darren Michels said.
“On Nov. 29, at approximately 12 p.m. another call was received at the same location, advising that the suspect had returned and was outside and near the business. Frontline RCMP officers were able to locate and arrest, who they believe to be, their suspect from the original call. The man was later released on conditions, which stipulated he was not to return to the area of the business, with a future court date.”
Michels says another call came in today, at 3 p.m., from a neighbour business to Stereo Warehouse, saying the man was across the street and, again, allegedly uttering threats.
“Our officers responded and arrested the same man. The man appeared to be in a mental health crisis and was subsequently taken to hospital where he continues to receive care.
“These investigations are ongoing and a full written report will be provided to the Public Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.
Ongoing Concerns
Sandhu says these types of incidents are not uncommon for the area. “I have actual footage in our store of people walking without masks, people are walking around wanting to touch everything.”
The City of Kamloops did put in 24-hour security along West Victoria Street to try and help address some of the concerns that local business owners had, and Sandhu says initially it felt like it was having an impact.
“I was feeling better about the security up until about four weeks ago, and I don’t feel that way about the security that we are safe inside when these people are walking in. Security, it looks like their hands are tied in some ways,” she says.
“There are more people wandering around and into our business, and where is the security is what I would like to know. I know they have a huge street to cover and one person can’t cover it.”
