Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Jan. 15 to 22:
Stolen Truck
• Overnight on Jan. 22, a thief stole a truck that had been left parked in a parking lot in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons. The owner had lost her keys on the evening of Jan. 21 but didn’t realize until the following morning, and by the time she’d returned to her vehicle, it was gone. Video surveillance footage shows an unknown male approach the truck and using a key fob to unlock it. The male is seen driving off in the truck, which is a 2011 red Dodge Ram, B.C. licence plate HM1461. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 17-374.
Break and Enter
• Overnight on Jan. 22, a thief broke into a residence in the 5600 block of Creekside Place, Sechelt. The suspect gained entry through a front window, and stole a number of household items, outdoor and patio furniture, hand and garden tools. Included in the stolen items were two mooching fishing rods, an off-white fibreglass fountain with blue mosaic tiles in the inside, a dark red and burgundy Kenmore upright vacuum, a Mastercraft 26 gallon Ocean Blue model compressor, and a Simoniz pressure washer. Anyone with information about this break and enter is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 2017-370.
Collisions
• On Jan. 19, police attended a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of School Road and O’Shea Road, Gibsons, after a southbound vehicle rear-ended another vehicle. The collision caused damage to both vehicles, and the first vehicle had to be towed from the scene. The driver of the first vehicle advised that a third vehicle had cut in front of him before turning into a driveway and he hadn’t noticed the second vehicle stopped in front of him. The driver of the second vehicle was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The file has been referred to ICBC.
• During the morning of Jan. 20, police attended a three-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 101 and Shorncliffe Avenue, Sechelt. The chain-reaction occurred after a southbound vehicle failed to stop in time and rear-ended the vehicle in front of it, pushing it into a third vehicle, which had stopped for a pedestrian in the marked crosswalk. The “N” driver of the first vehicle, who advised he’d been fiddling with his eyeglasses, was issued multiple violation tickets. All three vehicles had to be towed from the scene due to damage, and the driver of the second vehicle was taken to hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• Late on Jan. 17, a hit and run was reported in the 1100 block of Roberts Creek Road, Roberts Creek, after a vehicle lost control on a westbound corner and struck and damaged a newly built gatepost and fence. The driver fled the scene without leaving information for the homeowner.
Scams
• On Jan. 18, a Coast resident reported a fraud after paying a large amount of money for commercial lighting. The resident advised he installed special lights on a trial basis and after the trial period, was contacted by a caller purportedly from the North American supplier looking for payment. The caller gave the resident banking information for an account in the United Kingdom. The resident contacted the sales representative he’d been dealing with by email to check the banking information and after receiving a positive confirmation email, transferred the funds. A month later, the resident was contacted by the sales rep advising payment was still outstanding. The resident confirmed his payment but the sales rep advised that the U.K. account was fraudulent. The file is under investigation, but it appears either the supplier’s or the resident’s account had been hacked. To learn about this and other types of scams, see the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org
• As tax season approaches, the Canada Revenue Agency scam is resurfacing on the Coast. Callers pretending to be CRA agents or police officers will try to frighten residents into giving up personal information or funds, or will leave threatening messages advising that unless the recipient responds immediately, serious consequences will result. Please visit the CRA website directly for information about this particular scam.
Thefts
• On Jan. 15, two young males were witnessed shoplifting several bottles of alcohol from a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt. A witness advised staff that the two suspects had filled their pockets before leaving the premises. Staff reviewed surveillance video and located footage of the two suspects. The file is still under investigation.
