Incident report for Nov. 15 to 22:
Scams
• On Nov. 15, a Coast resident reported a scam involving an anonymous registered letter. The resident received and signed for an anonymous letter which contained only a blank greeting card. A week later, the resident received her credit card statement showing an unauthorized charge from Amazon Marketplace but when the resident tried to check her Amazon account, she found her account had been compromised and she could not access it. The resident contacted the Amazon help desk, who confirmed she had been charged for a vacuum she never ordered or received, and that she had signed for it on the same date she had received the mysterious registered letter. The resident went to her bank and had the charge reversed and the compromised credit card cancelled. She was referred to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre.
• On Nov. 18, a Coast resident reported falling for a common scam after responding to an email purportedly from Microsoft advising the resident that her computer was infected with a virus. The resident contacted what she believed was Microsoft and gave her credit card information and authorization for a payment to clean up her computer. Afterwards, the resident realized she’d been scammed and contacted her bank to try to stop the transaction. Police advised the resident to take her computer to a reputable company and have it properly cleaned. To learn more about popular scams, please visit www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org
Collision
• On Nov. 21, police attended a two-vehicle collision on Highway 101 at Marlene Road, Roberts Creek. The first vehicle made a right turn off Marlene Road onto Highway 101 and pulled out in front of a second vehicle that was unable to stop in time and collided into the side of the first vehicle. Both vehicles were rendered inoperable but no serious injuries were reported. The driver of the first vehicle advised he’d been following his friend in another vehicle and hadn’t looked to his left to check for oncoming vehicles before attempting his turn onto the road. The driver of the first vehicle was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care.
Found Property
• On Nov. 17, a resident reported a kayak that had been found on Oct. 10 in the 7400 block of Sechelt Inlet Road. The delay in reporting was due to the finder wishing to confirm the kayak didn’t belong to their part-time neighbours. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description, reference file 16-7612.
Impaired Drivers
• On Nov. 17, police witnessed an oncoming southbound vehicle on Highway 101 near Kearton Road, Gibsons, using its high beams. After the vehicle drove right past a police car with its high beams on, police initiated a traffic stop and noted the driver was exhibiting signs of intoxication. The driver admitted to consuming alcohol a short time before driving, and police located an open can of alcohol in the centre console. The driver was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition. The driver’s vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• On Nov. 19, police witnessed a vehicle speeding west on Highway 101 near Wharf Road, Sechelt and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, who denied drinking but exhibited clear signs of intoxication, was detained for impaired driving and taken to the detachment to give breath samples. After the test results, the driver was served a 24-hour suspension, an administrative driving prohibition and an appearance notice for court for impaired operation of a vehicle.
Theft / Mischief
• Between Nov. 9 and 16, a thief stole a bicycle from a building in the 5600 block of Gowland Road, Gibsons. The bike is described as a black Devinci brand Jack men’s mountain bike with front suspension and after-market front and rear mounted electric lights. Anyone with information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 16-7649.
• Overnight on Nov. 20, a vandal scratched a vehicle parked in the 300 block of Cochrane Road, Gibsons along every side of the vehicle, scratching two words, including a profanity, in large letters. Anyone with any information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 16-7676.
• On Nov. 17, a business in the 5600 block of Lamprey Lane, Sechelt reported an ongoing issue with mischief after discovering more damage to the gravel parking lot surface caused by vehicles doing burnouts overnight. Anyone with information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 16-7606.
