QUESNEL, B.C. - Quesnel RCMP have arrested the suspect in a liquor store robbery in which an employee was assaulted, police say.
On November 6, 2026, at approximately 1:02 p.m., Quesnel RCMP responded to a report of two men fighting at the West Side Liquor Store. Police attended and learned that an employee of the store had attempted to stop a man from leaving without paying. When the employee attempted to intervene and stop the suspect, he was assaulted.
Police were able to identify the suspect in the robbery from video surveillance. At approximately 3:00 p.m., the suspect was located and arrested. Charges have been laid against Ryan Kozuchar, 37, for robbery, assault with a weapon and resisting arrest. He is being held in custody pending court. The charges have not been proven in court.
“Police want to remind people of the dangers of confronting those involved with criminal activity. Their behaviour can be unpredictable and they may be violent, or carrying weapons,” said Sgt. Clay Kronebusch. “Luckily the employee did not receive any serious injuries during this incident.”
Why this matters
The arrest is a reminder police repeat across British Columbia: a bottle of liquor is not worth an injury. Retail theft confrontations can turn violent without warning, and in this case the employee was assaulted for stepping in. Quesnel RCMP identified the suspect from surveillance video within about two hours, which is also how many retail robbery cases are solved: cameras and a call to police, rather than a physical confrontation.
Quesnel RCMP is the police service for the city of Quesnel and the surrounding Cariboo area.
(Source: Quesnel RCMP, November 9, 2026)
