Incident Report for May 31 to June 6:
Impaired drivers/ drugs
• Around 7 p.m. on June 2, a witness reported a possible impaired driver on the Langdale-bound ferry, but was unsure of what direction the vehicle went after disembarking in Langdale. Police later received a complaint about a possible impaired driver in Sechelt, and it was determined it was the same vehicle that had earlier been reported on the ferry. The driver was found to be exhibiting signs of impairment by drugs. A quantity of marijuana and related paraphernalia were located in the vehicle, and the driver was issued a driving prohibition and his vehicle was impounded.
• Shortly after 10 a.m. on June 2, a passenger in a vehicle waiting at the Langdale ferry terminal called to report the occupants of another vehicle in line were smoking marijuana in their vehicle. Police attended and arrested the suspect males. A quantity of marijuana was located and seized. As the driver of the vehicle did not exhibit signs of impairment, they were released without charge and warned about smoking marijuana before driving.
• On the night of June 3, police initiated a traffic stop with a vehicle with a burnt-out tail light on Grandview Road, Gibsons, but the vehicle sped away until finally coming to a stop nearby. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of intoxication, stated he had consumed several alcoholic drinks and smoked marijuana earlier in the night. The 54-year-old driver was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Flight from police
• Shortly before noon on June 6, police observed a vehicle driving without any licence plates on School Road in Gibsons. When the officer tried to pull the car over, it fled at a high rate of speed. Another officer on nearby Gower Point Road used radar to determine that the vehicle was travelling at nearly double the posted speed limit. Police later located the vehicle unoccupied, and identified it as a known vehicle that has previously fled from police and been associated with other criminal activity. The vehicle was impounded, and police are continuing to investigate.
Distracted driving
• On May 31, a possible impaired driver was reported westbound on Highway 101 from Nestman Road, Sechelt, after the vehicle was witnessed driving all over the road, on the shoulder and randomly stopping. Police located the vehicle near Sechelt Hospital and witnessed the vehicle remain at the intersection for a noticeable amount of time even though the light had turned green. Police initiated a traffic stop a short distance away and the driver admitted to using her cellphone while driving. She was issued a violation ticket for using an electronic device while driving and failing to produce a driver’s licence.
Thefts
• On May 31, a theft was reported at a business in the 400 block of Marine Drive, Gibsons, after the suspect was caught on video surveillance footage concealing a large bottle of wine down the front of his shorts before leaving the premises. The suspect is described as a middle-aged male wearing blue board shorts, a tank top, and a sombrero. The file is still under investigation.
• On June 2, staff at a business in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons, reported two shoplifters who were caught on surveillance stealing footwear. The male suspect was seen putting on a pair of boots, putting his old boots into the box, and then walking out of the store. The female suspect was seen taking a pair of shoes out of a box and concealing them under her jacket before leaving the store. The file is still under investigation.
• Between June 1 and 2, a thief stole a 1974 Fender Telecaster Sunburst guitar from a vehicle either while it was parked in Roberts Creek near Keri Road and Lockyer Road, or while on the ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay. The file is still under investigation. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 16-3265.
Collisions
• On May 31, police attended a three-vehicle incident at the intersection of North Road and Gibsons Way after the driver of first vehicle didn’t notice that the second vehicle was stopped and rear-ended it, which pushed it into the rear of the third vehicle. The first and third vehicles sustained minor damage; the second vehicle had to be towed from the scene. No major injuries were reported. The driver of the first vehicle was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care.
• Shortly before 8:30 p.m. on June 2, police attended a two-vehicle collision involving a motorcycle at the intersection of Wharf Avenue and Highway 101 in Sechelt. Witnesses reported that a northbound motorcyclist had the green light to go straight and was proceeding through the intersection when a southbound vehicle attempted a left turn onto Highway 101 and struck the motorcycle. The driver of the southbound vehicle advised his view had been obstructed by a large truck and that he hadn’t see the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was taken to Sechelt Hospital for non-life threatening injuries and the bike was towed. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On June 4, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 6500 block of Egmont Road after the driver crashed into a ditch. The N driver, who was able to exit the vehicle on his own, advised he’d lost control after driving too quickly through the winding road and being distracted by some swimmers in Waugh Lake. The driver was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care and attention and his vehicle was towed from the scene. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
