Incident Report for June 17 to 24:
Rescue
• Early on June 21, residents in the 7800 block of Redrooffs Road, Halfmoon Bay, reported hearing someone screaming for help. Two females were located off the side of a cliff hanging onto tree branches, unable to climb back to safety. Police called the Halfmoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department, who used ropes and ladders to pull the two females to safety. They said they had been drinking in the open field and had not seen the cliff in the dark. One of the females rolled off the cliff and the second got stuck after attempting to help the other. The two suffered scratches and a bee sting but were otherwise unhurt.
Prohibited / Impaired drivers
• On June 21, police conducted a traffic stop with a vehicle in the 12600 block of highway 101, Madeira Park, as the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver was found to be a prohibited driver. He was released on a promise to appear and charges of driving while prohibited are being recommended to Crown counsel. He was also issued a violation ticket for failing to wear a seatbelt and his vehicle was impounded for seven days.
• On June 22, police stopped a possible impaired driver on Highway 101 near East Oyster Bay Road, Madeira Park. The driver, who had an open can of beer in the centre console, advised he’d had a couple of other drinks shortly prior to driving, and was displaying signs of intoxication. He was given a roadside alcohol screening test which resulted in a “warn.” The driver was issued violation tickets for no driver’s licence and possession of open liquor in a motor vehicle and was also given a three-day immediate roadside prohibition.
• On June 22, police witnessed a vehicle speeding on Highway 101 near Norwest Bay Road, Sechelt, and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of impairment, advised he’d consumed several drinks a short time before driving. The 70-year-old male failed a roadside alcohol screening test and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition. His vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• On June 24, a witness reported a possible impaired driver leave a business in Sechelt heading towards West Sechelt. Police located the suspect and initiated a traffic stop in Halfmoon Bay. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of impairment, was given a roadside alcohol screening test. After a “warn” result, the driver was issued a three-day driving prohibition.
Collisions
• On June 24, police attended a single-vehicle incident on Highway 101 just north of Middlepoint Road, Madeira Park, after a vehicle lost control on a curve and rolled over, spilling its gravel load over both lanes of traffic. Neither the driver nor passenger was injured but traffic was obstructed until the gravel could be cleared away. The driver, who advised the load had shifted prior to the rollover, was issued a violation ticket for insecure load and a notice and order requiring a complete vehicle inspection.
• Just after 10 p.m. on June 28, a black Chevrolet pickup was involved in a single-vehicle collision on the Sunshine Coast Highway near Clarkson Way in Halfmoon Bay. The truck veered off the road to the right and drove about 100 metres through the ditch before hitting some trees. The driver apparently fled the scene prior to police arrival. A nearly full can of beer was located in the driver’s side console. Police will be following up with the registered owner, who may be facing charges under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Thefts
• On June 24, police attended a theft from a business in the 800 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons, after the suspect was witnessed by staff taking a dog collar and leaving the store without paying for it. The suspect was located and the property was recovered. The suspect, who was caught on video surveillance camera, was released on a promise to appear in court. The file is still under investigation.
• Overnight on June 24, a thief gained entry to an unlocked vehicle parked in the 5600 block of Trail Avenue, Sechelt, and stole a driver’s licence and credit card that had been left inside. The thief later used the stolen credit card at a business in the 5500 block of Wharf Avenue. The owner of the card advised the card has now been deactivated, and police are reviewing surveillance video from the business in an attempt to identity the thief.
Mischief
• Early on June 25, a couple sleeping on their boat in a Gibsons marina were awakened when their boat started rocking and they discovered two unknown males sitting in the galley. When asked what they were doing there, the 20-somethings replied they’d been told the boat was a good spot to “chill” on. The boaters called police and attempted to photograph the males but they fled before police arrived. A search for the males was negative. Nothing was stolen and no other suspicious incidents were reported.
• On June 26, mischief to an excavator parked in the 900 block of Gower Point Road, Gibsons, was reported. The damage is believed to have occurred a few days prior. The vandals smashed windows, snipped wiring and damaged grease lines. Police located several liquor cans in the area and seized them for fingerprinting.
