Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following from March 7-14:
Scams
• On March 8, a Coast resident reported falling for a common scam after receiving a phone call from someone purporting to be from Publisher’s Clearing House. The caller advised the resident that she had won $750,000 but would need to pay tax on her winnings before the money could be released. The resident agreed to prepay the “tax” and as instructed, sent the funds to an address in Hungary. The resident then realized she had been scammed. To learn more about this and other types of scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
Thefts/Break and Enters
• Early on March 8, a witness reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the 5200 block of Yacht Road, Sechelt, and the driver loading something into the back. The witness was able to give direction of travel to the dispatcher and police intercepted the vehicle a short distance away. Police located a large amount of lumber in the back of the vehicle and the driver, who is known to police, advised he’d entered the clearly marked private property to take scraps for firewood. The suspect was arrested for theft under $5,000 and trespass by night. The suspect was released on a promise to appear for court and given conditions to stay away from Yacht Road. The suspect was also directed to return the wood to the site. The file is still under investigation.
• Between late December and March 9, a suspect gained entry to a building and a residence in the 4600 block of Beaumont Road, Garden Bay, by prying open a door and a window, causing damage in the process. The suspect rifled through the contents of both buildings, but nothing appears to have been stolen. While making neighbourhood enquiries, police noticed another residence with an open rear door. Police checked the residence and noted it was unoccupied and appeared undisturbed. The owner was contacted by a property reference who will be checking the house and advising if anything is determined to be missing. Anyone with any information about these two incidents is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 17-1309 and 17-1315.
• On March 13, police attended an attempted break and enter to a business in the 5500 block of Trail Avenue, Sechelt, after staff noticed a temporary plywood wall had been removed and an unknown suspect had attempted to kick through the remaining wall material. A small heater was also reported stolen. No entry to the main business area was gained. Police are reviewing surveillance video footage.
Mischief
• On March 9, a vandal slashed two tires on a vehicle parked in a parking lot in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons. Police are reviewing surveillance video footage.
Traffic Incidents
• On March 10, police attended a two-vehicle incident at the intersection of North Road and Gibsons Way, Gibsons, after the driver of the first vehicle wanting to make a right turn onto Gibsons Way stopped to yield to oncoming traffic and was rear-ended by a second vehicle. The first vehicle sustained major damage but was still drivable from the scene. No life-threatening injuries were reported. The second driver was issued a violation ticket for following too closely and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On March 13, a possible impaired driver was reported after the witness noticed the northbound vehicle on Highway 101 in Roberts Creek swerving all over the road, nearly going into the ditch, and hitting a pedestrian on the way. Police located the vehicle in Sechelt and spoke with the sober driver who advised that he’d dropped his water bottle and his hand slipped off the wheel during that stretch of road.
Impaired Drivers
• On March 13, police attended a single-vehicle incident on Selma Park Road near Benner Road, Sechelt. Police located the vehicle and lone driver and occupant and noted the driver exhibiting signs of intoxication. The driver advised she had consumed alcohol earlier in the day and was given a roadside alcohol screening test. The driver refused to provide an adequate breath sample and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• On March 13, police witnessed a vehicle driving approximately 40 kilometres per hour over the posted speed limit southbound on Highway 101 near Lower Road, Gibsons. Police performed a traffic stop and noted the driver was exhibiting signs of intoxication. The 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.
