Kelowna man caught with half-million dollars in stolen goods is just the latest

When police announced the arrest of a prolific thief, earlier this week, one fact stood out above others: He was caught roughly $500,000 in stolen goods.

That's not a typo. If you're wondering how that's even possible, Kevin Andrew Brophy is a seasoned thief with a 15-year record largely for property crimes, mostly in Kelowna. 

An official list of the stolen items he allegedly possessed has not yet been released. Incomplete images shared by Kelowna RCMP show a RAM 2500 truck and a broken safe with unidentified documents inside, as well as a van containing multiple pieces of equipment and work tools.

It is not clear when these items were stolen, or where or who they were taken from. Police said they aren't ready to release more information on that yet.

READ MORE: Repeat offender nabbed in Kelowna with more than $500K of stolen goods

However, court records show that 44-year-old Brophy has been committing crimes in the region dating back to at least August 2008 when he was sentenced for one count of possession of stolen property under $5,000 and two counts of using a forged document.

Since then, Brophy has amassed 18 criminal files, including many charges for break and enter, mischief, robbery, theft over $5,000, theft under $5,000, using a stolen credit card and possession of stolen property. 

Brophy was arrested by Kelowna RCMP while he was attempting to break into a secure compound in Kelowna, on Oct. 21.

On Nov. 16, Brophy will appear in court once again to face charges for breaking and entering and committing an indictable offence, as well as two counts of possession of stolen goods over $5,000, theft of $5,000 or under, and mischief of $5,000 or under.

For now, Brophy has been remanded in custody, where he will remain until his next court appearance. 

In its initial release, police got Brophy's middle name wrong and said he was from the Kootenays. But the court records show all his activity in Kelowna and one file in Salmon Arm.

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