Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for July 13 to 20.
Scam / suspicious activity
• On July 14, police received a report of suspicious activity after a witness reported several males burying what appeared to be a black body bag in a vacant lot in the 5800 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt. Police attended the scene and determined the men were simply moving a load of bark mulch.
• A Coast resident who admitted to not being technologically savvy reported he’d been convinced by an unknown male caller that his computer had a virus. The resident then gave the caller remote access to his computer as well as his bank account information. The suspect then withdrew funds from the resident’s account. The resident was advised to have his computer professionally examined to deactivate the remote access, close his accounts and contact Transunion and Equifax to have his credit status monitored. To learn more about how to protect yourself from fraudsters like this, please visit sites such as www.antifraudcentre-centreanitfraude.ca or www.mbc.bbb.org (Better Business Bureau).
Traffic
• On July 14, a possible impaired driver was reported southbound on Highway 101 near Gibsons Way, Gibsons. The witness, who provided a vehicle description and licence plate number, advised the vehicle was being driven slowly and swerving in its lane. Police located the driver who was not intoxicated but advised he’d been unnerved when an ambulance had gone by him at high speed with lights and sirens on.
• On July 14, police observed a vehicle driver yelling and honking at a pedestrian in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons. The vehicle was later observed leaving a drinking establishment, swerving all over the road. Police initiated a traffic stop and observed the driver exhibiting signs of intoxication. The driver, who admitted to consuming alcohol earlier, was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test. The driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• On July 15, police initiated a traffic stop with a vehicle driven by a known unlicensed driver. When police noted the odour of marijuana, the driver, who was exhibiting signs of impairment, handed over two ziplock bags of marijuana, claiming it was for medical use. However, as the driver could not produce documentation, the drugs were seized by police. The driver was also issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and a violation ticket for no driver’s licence, and his vehicle was impounded.
• On July 16, police initiated a traffic stop on Highway 101, Sechelt, with a vehicle driven by a driver who was flagged as an unlicensed driver and vehicle impound candidate. The driver was issued an unlicensed driver prohibition and a violation ticket for no valid driver's licence. His vehicle was also impounded for seven days.
• On July 17, police witnessed a vehicle southbound on Highway 101 that was speeding and weaving within its lane, crossing over the centre line several times. Police initiated a traffic stop and noted the driver exhibiting signs of intoxication. The driver was given and failed two roadside alcohol screening tests and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Theft / found property
• On July 15, a thief stole a wallet out of an unattended vehicle while the owner was inside a gas station in the 5500 block of Wharf Avenue paying for his purchase. Police reviewed surveillance video, which showed a known male leaning through the open window of the vehicle and removing an item from inside. The file is still under investigation.
• Overnight on July 16, a thief gained entry to an unlocked vehicle parked in the 6400 block of Samron Road, Sechelt, and stole cash, a Wal-Mart gift card and a charger for an iPhone 6.
• On July 17, a theft was reported at a business in the 5600 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, after a male suspect distracted staff and two female suspects stole a white duvet cover. The male suspect is described as a Native male, mid-30s, about five feet seven with medium build, wearing blue shorts and a striped shirt. The older female suspect is described as in her 30s, slim build with brown hair and a rough looking face, wearing a long multi-coloured striped dress. The second female suspect is described as in her early 20s, five feet seven inches tall, slim build and with a hard looking face. The file is still under investigation.
• On July 20, a camera found in the 5400 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, was turned in to police. The camera contained photos of birds, boats and kayakers. Owner may claim with detailed description of camera, reference file 15-4887.
