Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for August 19 to 25:
Theft
On Aug. 15, a theft was reported from a business in the 5500 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after two suspects, a male and a female, were caught on surveillance removing a seven-inch Samsung Galaxy Tablet from its display and concealing it in the female suspect’s purse. The suspects then left the premises. The file is still under investigation.
• Overnight on Aug. 22, a thief stole a vehicle from a residence in the 400 block of South Fletcher Road, Gibsons, after the owner left the keys in the vehicle. Police tracked down and stopped the stolen vehicle in Sechelt. The driver and passenger were both arrested, and the driver is now facing a charge of possession of stolen property.
Assault / Suspicious Circumstances
During the morning of Aug. 21, an adult male was assaulted by another male near the intersection of Dolphin Street and Wharf Avenue in Sechelt. The victim was thrown to the ground and punched repeatedly, before overcoming the other male and leaving to call police. The two males are well known to each other. Police arrested the suspect male, and are recommending one count of assault against him.
• On Aug. 20, a concerned resident reported finding a metal-tipped arrow in her backyard in the 5700 block of Cascade Crescent, Sechelt. Police located the source of the arrow and determined that a young person at a nearby residence had set up a target to practise shooting with a bow and arrow, and subsequently missed the target, causing the arrow to go through the bushes and into the neighbouring property. The family was advised about the requirements of going to an appropriate location for target practice to avoid the risk of harming someone.
Traffic
On Aug. 22, a three-vehicle incident occurred on Highway 101 near Mason Road, after the first and second vehicles were stopped waiting for a vehicle to make a left turn off the highway and a third vehicle failed to stop in time and rear-ended the second, causing it to collide into the back of the first vehicle. The driver of the third vehicle advised he’d looked down at this fuel gauge and when he looked up, realized too late that traffic was stopped. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On Aug. 22, police initiated a traffic stop with a vehicle in the 4700 block of Francis Peninsula Road, Madeira Park, after witnessing the driver talking on his cell phone and crossing over the solid centre line into oncoming traffic. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of intoxication, was given and failed a roadside alcohol-screening test. The driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition, his vehicle was impounded for 30 days and he was issued violation tickets for Use Electronic Device While Driving and Fail to Keep Right.
• On Aug. 23, a two-vehicle incident occurred in the 1400 block of Highway 101 after a westbound vehicle driving into oncoming traffic caused one vehicle to have to swerve out of the way and side-swiped a second vehicle, causing it to spin and end up in the opposite lane. The driver of the westbound vehicle fled on foot but returned while police were on scene. The driver was not impaired but was issued violation tickets for No Driver’s Licence, Fail to Remain at Scene, and Drive Without Due Care.
Scam
On Aug. 22, a Coast resident received a pop-up message on his monitor saying a virus had been detected on his computer. The pop-up provided a phone number to contact to have the virus removed, so the resident called and gave his credit card information to have the “problem” fixed. The resident quickly realized he’d fallen for a common scam and contacted his credit card company to cancel the purchase as well as his credit card.
– Sunshine Coast RCMP
