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One year later: No charges in attack on Penticton ice cream shop owner

The owner of the shop is a senior and would like to see justice
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Ogo’s ice cream owner Sharon Brown, 71, was back at work the next day after being attacked and robbed on Aug. 4, 2021. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

It was one year ago (Aug.4), since the owner of Ogo’s Ice Cream shop in downtown Penticton was robbed and attacked with a hammer.

The brutal assault on a senior shocked the community with numerous businesses and residents throwing their support behind the victim Sharon Brown who was 70 years old at the time.

Brown was unwilling to let her attackers win, returning to work the next day. The night before she was in hospital with stitches and bandages on her arm as well as bruising.

The suspects behind the assault and robbery were identified and arrested thanks to the large amount of high-quality video footage provided by the local business community following the brutal attack.

But one year later and Crown counsel has yet to approve criminal charges Penticton RCMP had submitted last August.

“We submitted a detailed report to Crown counsel, recommending charges, on Aug. 26, 2021. Crown counsel did not immediately approve charges,” said Penticton RCMP Supt. Brian Hunter.

“We have been communicating back and forth with Crown counsel on the matter. Crown counsel continues to review the matter and we are awaiting their final decision.”

Brown said she is saddened that a year later there are no charges.

“I’d like to see some justice,” said Brown who has been working long hours at her ice cream shop that also serves up freshly made exotic salads and lunch menu.

“I’m doing OK, but I have a permanent bump on my arm and nerve damage where I was hit,” she said.

It was at 6:30 a.m. that Ogo’s Ice Cream was broken into and Brown was assaulted with a hammer by two men. The men gained access through the back door while Brown was prepping for the day.

The business owner was approached by the suspects who demanded she open the cash register. In the process of the robbery, one of the men assaulted her.

Brown said she kept screaming and kicking at them.

Both men took the entire cash register, along with other food items.

“We were outraged as business owners,” said ice cream shop owner Diana Stirling at the time, who together with Tickleberry’s donated proceeds from their own waffle cone sales to Brown.

Betts Electric Ltd and LockWorks Inc. reinforced the rear door with a security plate, installed a peephole as well as three cameras and a security system at no charge.

READ MORE: One day after being attacked, Ogo ice cream’s owner is back at work

To report a typo, email: editor@pentictonwesternnews.com.

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Monique Tamminga

About the Author: Monique Tamminga

Monique brings 20 years of award-winning journalism experience to the role of editor at the Penticton Western News. Of those years, 17 were spent working as a senior reporter and acting editor with the Langley Advance Times.
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