Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for July 28 to Aug. 4:
Traffic/stolen truck
• On July 28, police attended a three-vehicle incident on Highway 101 near Mason Road, Sechelt, after the first vehicle attempted to make a left turn off Mason Road onto Highway 101 and struck a second vehicle that was northbound on Highway 101. The second vehicle lost control and swerved into the southbound lane and struck a third vehicle that was waiting to make a left turn onto Mason Road. No serious injuries were reported; two vehicles had to be towed from the scene. The driver of the first vehicle, who was witnessed not looking in both directions before entering the intersection, was issued a violation ticket for failing to yield to a vehicle. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• Late on July 28, a BC Ferries Ford Ranger truck was stolen from the BC Ferries terminal in Langdale. Security video footage shows the vehicle leaving the terminal and turning north on Marine Drive. The suspect driver is described as a heavy set male wearing a white shirt, white shorts and an over-the-shoulder bag. Early on July 29, the vehicle was recovered parked near the ferry terminal. Police are reviewing surveillance footage. Anyone who saw a Ford Ranger pickup with a BC Ferries logo on it outside the ferry terminal is asked to call Sunshine Coast RCMP, file #15-5143.
Scam/theft/shoplifting warning
• On July 29, a coast resident reported a possible fraud after she responded to a card in the mail that advised she had an unclaimed prize of gas rebates waiting for her. When the resident called the number provided, she was told the company would need to bill her credit card for a small amount so she provided her credit card information, including the three-digit security code on the back. The company then billed her twice more for small amounts of money. When the resident complained, one of the payments was refunded, but then she was billed a larger amount and sent a sample of face creams.
Please see sites such as www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or www.bbb.org/mbc to learn how to protect yourself from common scams.
• Several businesses on the Sunshine Coast have recently reported falling victim to distraction thefts, whereby an employee is kept occupied by someone posing as a customer, while an associate steals items from the store. RCMP remind store owners and employees to be vigilant at all times, and to consider ways to prevent such thefts. Some examples are: store layout, sightlines, location of the register; keep high-value merchandise away from the store exits; have multiple employees in the store if possible; install a video surveillance system; conduct regular inventory counts to determine whether shoplifting is occurring; train employees on how to prevent potential shoplifters, and what to do if someone does take something.
