Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for the week of Feb. 24 to March 4:
On Feb. 24, a shoplifter was reported at a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street in Sechelt.
The suspect, described as a thin Asian female approximately five feet six inches tall, appears to have stolen a pair of JBrand jeans, size 24. The suspect was wearing black tights, boots, a sparkly sequined top and a black Guess winter jacket with fur-trimmed hood. Police are reviewing surveillance footage to try and identify the suspect.
On Feb. 24, a Coast resident fell victim to the popular "grandchild" scam after receiving a call from a woman purporting to be the resident's granddaughter.
The scammer told the resident she had been involved in a car accident and that she was being charged with impaired driving. The scammer then said she needed money to help pay for a fine that would make the charge go away. After wiring funds to a third party in Quebec as per the scammer's directions, the resident contacted her actual granddaughter and realized she'd been scammed.
On Feb. 25, police attended a single-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 101 and Stewart Road in Gibsons.
The driver, who appeared unhurt, drove into the concrete divider causing significant damage to both the vehicle and the divider. The driver advised she was blinded by the sun and didn't see that she needed to turn as the road was ending.
Police noted that the windshield was frosted over and only a small section had been cleared. The driver was issued a violation ticket for having a windshield that impairs driver vision.
To learn more about popular scams and how to protect yourself, please visit www.phonebusters.com.
Overnight on Feb. 27, a vandal ripped off the cover of a street lamp located in the 700 block of Reed Road in Gibsons.
On Feb. 27, a witness reported a possible impaired driver northbound on Highway 101 from Oldershaw Road in Gibsons swerving all over the road.
The witness, who stayed on-line with the 911 dispatcher, was able to give police updates on the location of the suspect vehicle until police were able to conduct a traffic stop near Field Road in Sechelt.
The suspect driver did not appear to be intoxicated by alcohol, but was exhibiting signs of drug impairment, which was confirmed by a standard field sobriety test and the driver was arrested for driving while impaired. The driver was also issued a 24-hour driving prohibition. The file is still under investigation.
On Feb. 27, a suspicious male was reported apparently trying to open doors on vehicles parked in the 5500 block of Wharf Road in Sechelt.
A witness provided a suspect description and direction of travel and police located the suspect a short distance away. Upon further investigation, the suspect was found to be in possession of several stolen items. The suspect was arrested and charged for mischief for tampering with some of the door locks, possession of stolen property and theft from a vehicle.
On Feb. 28, a purse theft was reported from a public building in the 5500 block of Shorncliffe Road in Sechelt. The purse was later recovered, but the cash was missing.
On March 1, an abandoned uninsured vehicle was located in the ditch on Tower Road near Nickerson Road in Sechelt.
The driver appeared to have missed a turn and lost control before ending up in the ditch. The vehicle was left secured and was towed for safekeeping. The owner was issued a violation ticket for no insurance.
On March 1, a shoplifter was reported at a business in the 900 block of Gibsons Way.
Staff witnessed the suspect attempting to leave the premises with a number of unpaid items. When the suspect realized she'd been noticed, she dropped the stolen goods and fled the scene on foot. Staff followed and detained the suspect and found more stolen goods on her person. The suspect has been banned from the business and charges of theft under $5,000 are being recommended to Crown counsel.
On March 3, multiple incidents of mischief were reported in and around the 13500 block of Highway 101 in Garden Bay.
Signs, a port-a potty and shelter were torn down or damaged. Police are following up on suspicious vehicles that were seen in the area.
-Submitted
