Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for July 8 to 15:
• Sometime around July 4 to 7, a vandal damaged wooden posts on a building in the 5800 block of Teredo Street in Sechelt.
In the first instance, the suspect tried to split the post with the force of impact, possibly by kicking it. In the second instance, a saw was used. No further damage or theft of any items was reported.
• A Coast resident reported falling for the common overpayment scam after answering a job ad on Craigslist.
The resident was contacted by a male who said he was moving to Canada and needed a cleaner when he arrived. The male then sent the resident a cheque and asked the resident to deposit it and then forward a portion of the funds to another party and to keep the rest as a form of "prepayment" of wages as well as for his troubles. The resident did this several times before being notified by the bank that the cheques were fraudulent.
To learn more about this and other types of scams, please visit www.phonebusters.com or www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraud.ca.
• On July 8, a hit and run was reported near Gower Point Road and School Road in Gibsons, after a vehicle struck a parked car and then kept driving.
A witness provided a vehicle description and licence plate number to police. Police located the suspect driver a short time later. The driver admitted he'd struck the other vehicle, but didn't think he'd caused any damage.
Police escorted the driver back to the scene and found the other vehicle did sustain some minor damage. The driver was issued a violation ticket for failing to stop after hitting a vehicle and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On July 8, a Coast resident fell for a common phishing scam after receiving an email purportedly from a major computer company.
The email, which appeared to be a bill for movie rentals, requested the resident supply his full name and address, his mother's maiden name, a credit card number, home and cell phone numbers, and a Social Insurance Number. The resident provided all of this sensitive information before realizing this was probably a scam. The resident called the company himself and confirmed that he'd received a fraudulent email. The resident has since cancelled his credit card and notified the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Trans Union. To learn more about phishing and other types of scams, please visit www.phonebusters.com.
• On July 9, police attended a motorcycle incident on Highway 101 near Tyson Road in Wilson Creek. The motorcyclist, who had just insured his motorcycle, was struck by a deer that jumped out from the side of the road. The collision knocked the motorcyclist off his bike and he somersaulted several times before coming to a rest. The motorcyclist was taken to hospital for treatment of his injuries and the motorcycle had to be towed. The deer fled the scene.
• Vandals are causing on-going problems at the Sechelt pier near the Rotary Friendship Park on Wharf Avenue.
While contractors continue to work on pier improvements, vandals are damaging or stealing equipment left on site the overnight. To date, six large orange pylons have gone missing and a suspect has made several attempts to toss chained scaffolding over the side of the pier. Anyone with any information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP at 604-885-2266 and reference file 14-4514.
• Overnight on July 9, more mischief to a vehicle was reported along Carmen Road in Gibsons, after a vandal cut the bolts off external door hinges and removed the rear door. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 14-4529.
• On July 10, police witnessed a vehicle on Highway 101 near Burton Road driving slowly southbound while crossing both the white shoulder line and the centre line several times.
Police pulled the vehicle over and the driver, who was exhibiting signs of impairment, advised that she had recently been fully anaesthetized, consumed alcohol and was on medication. The driver was given, and did poorly, on a standard field sobriety test and was arrested for impaired operation of a motor vehicle.
The driver was released on a 24-hour driving suspension and her vehicle was impounded. The file is still under investigation.
• Early on July 11, police attended a theft from vehicle report in the 1100 block of Chaster Road in Gibsons, after the owner left the unlocked vehicle unattended for a short period. The owner heard noises and four males were then seen running from a parked vehicle. The vehicle was rifled through and a wallet was stolen from the glove box. The thieves also stole an IPod charger, which was recovered from a nearby trail.
• On July 11, police witnessed a vehicle speeding in a 30-km playground zone on Chaster Road in Gibsons. Police also noted the presence of several kids on bikes and in the play park. The vehicle was pulled over and the driver was issued a seven-day impound notice as well as a violation ticket for excessive speed.
• A number of Direct Disposal blue recycling bins have been stolen from various addresses in Sechelt. Anyone with any information about these thefts is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 14-4658.
