Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Jan. 11 to 18:
Traffic
• On the morning of Jan. 15, RCMP, paramedics and the Halfmoon Bay Fire Department attended a three-vehicle incident in the 7100 block of Highway 101, Halfmoon Bay. A southbound vehicle was towing an empty horse trailer when two of the trailer tires came off. One of the tires struck a northbound vehicle head-on, causing that vehicle to catch on fire. The other tire sideswiped a third vehicle, travelling behind the horse trailer. All the vehicles had to be towed from the scene, and one female was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The driver of the tow vehicle was issued a violation ticket for driving/operating an improperly equipped vehicle and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On Jan. 16, a motorist on the Langdale bypass reported a dead deer in the adjacent lane; the motorist advised the call-taker that the carcass was very hard to see and almost caused an accident. Police attended and observed that the dead deer was actually a cardboard box.
Thefts / found property
• Overnight on Jan. 12, a thief stole a 14-foot aluminium boat and a set of after-market tires and rims from a property in the 2000 block of Field Road. The boat has the name Ruth painted on the side in black paint and the 14-inch tires and rims are for a Ford Ranger pickup truck.
• On Jan. 12, a staff member of a large organization on the Coast turned in a number of wallets and a passport that had been found on their property, several months prior. Police were able to contact all the owners except one. Police thank the staff member for turning in the items, and encourage anyone who finds lost property to call Sunshine Coast RCMP as soon as possible, as this will allow police to reunite owners with their belongings in a timely manner.
• On Jan. 13, staff at a business in the 1100 block of Highway 101, Gibsons, reported a theft after the first female suspect distracted staff while the second female suspect stole several articles of clothing. Both suspects then fled in a white GMC pickup truck with two males. The first suspect is described as a Native female, about 5 feet 2 inches tall, with a slim build and black hair. The second suspect is a Caucasian female with red hair, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, slim build and was wearing a pink jacket and carried a white purse. The stolen items included a black RVCA women’s top, black RDS tights, and a green men’s shirt. The truck was identified, and the file is under investigation.
• At around 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 14, police responded to a theft in progress after receiving a 911 call from a business in the Davis Bay area of Sechelt. A 20-year-old female had taken a large quantity of cash from the business, but was followed to a nearby bus stop by the business owner. The female – who has an extensive history of theft – was arrested by police, and the recovered money was returned to the business owner. RCMP will be recommending charges of theft under $5,000 and drug possession.
• Early on Jan. 18, a thief gained access to a business in the 5900 block of Sechelt Inlet Road, Sechelt, and proceeded to steal almost 400 litres of fuel from two parked excavators. Police are reviewing surveillance footage. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact Sunshine Coast RCMP (file 16-293) or Crimestoppers, at 1-800-222-TIPS.
Impaired / prohibited drivers
• On Jan. 14, a witness reported an erratic driver southbound on Highway 101 in Sechelt, after the vehicle was seen driving on the shoulder almost the entire way, including when pedestrians were present. Police located the vehicle in Wilson Creek and spoke with the driver, who was not impaired. However, due to the driver’s age and driving behaviour, a medical fitness review will be requested from RoadSafe BC.
• Shortly before 10:30 p.m. on Jan. 14, police initiated a traffic stop with a possible impaired driver on Wharf Road in Sechelt. Although the passenger was clearly intoxicated, the driver stated he had not had anything to drink; however, after the officer noted the odour of alcohol on the driver’s breath, he then admitted to consuming alcohol prior to driving. The driver was given a roadside screening test resulting in a “warn” result, and was issued a three-day immediate roadside prohibition.
• On Jan. 16, police witnessed a vehicle travelling north on Highway 101 at a high rate of speed. Police caught up to the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop near Stephens Way in Halfmoon Bay. The driver, who turned out to be a prohibited driver, was issued a promise to appear for driving while prohibited and his vehicle was impounded.
