Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following from May 9 to 15:
Shoplifters
• On May 9, staff at a business in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons, witnessed a female suspect take a makeup item off a shelf and exit the premises without paying for it. The theft was also captured on surveillance video cameras. Staff detained the suspect and police arrested her for theft under $5,000. The suspect was released on a promise to appear for court. The file is still under investigation.
• On May 10, a male suspect was captured on surveillance video stealing several bottles of liquor from a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt. Police are attempting to locate the suspect, who is banned from the business. The file is still under investigation.
Scam
On May 12, a Coast resident reporting falling victim to the popular Canada Revenue Agency scam after responding to a message left on her voice mail from a purported police officer. The message advised the resident that she owed taxes and if she didn’t call back the number provided, she would be arrested. The resident called the number and spoke with a male who identified himself as a police officer and was told that if she wanted the clear up the matter, she could pay for at least half the amount owing in iTunes cards. The resident did as she was instructed and after giving the validation codes to the male, was told to go to her bank to wire more funds. At this point, the resident grew suspicious and called Canada Revenue Agency directly and found out that this was an old and very common scam, so fortunately she did not lose any further funds. To learn more about this and other popular 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.
Mischief
• On May 10, police attended a mischief complaint in the 5500 block of Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt. Sometime overnight, a vandal used black spray paint to deface a billboard. Anyone with any information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 2017-2627.
Impaired Drivers
• On May 10, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 1200 block of Stewart Road, Gibsons, at the top of the bypass, after a vehicle crashed into a lamppost. The driver, who sustained non-life-threatening injuries, was taken to Sechelt Hospital for treatment. Police noted the driver exhibiting signs of intoxication and he is being investigated for impaired driving. The driver was also issued a violation ticket for driving without insurance, a 24-hour driving prohibition and a promise to appear for court. The vehicle, which was heavily damaged in the collision, was towed. The file is still under investigation.
• On the morning of May 11, a possible impaired driver was seen in the 1100 block of Highway 101, Gibsons, consuming alcohol before driving away. Witnesses provided a vehicle description and licence plate and police located the suspect driver nearby. The Class 7 driver, who admitted to consuming alcohol, was given a 24-hour driving suspension and a violation ticket for driving contrary to restrictions. The matter has been referred to RoadSafety BC.
Collisions
• On May 9, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 8500 block of Highway 101, after paramedics reported a vehicle in the southbound ditch. The driver and passenger, who were able to exit the vehicle on their own, were taken to Sechelt Hospital for minor injuries. The driver advised he’d fallen asleep at the wheel and awoke when the vehicle came to a rest in the ditch. The vehicle was towed and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On May 13, police attended a hit and run in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, after one vehicle was witnessed backing into a parked vehicle, causing a noticeable dent in the parked vehicle. The suspect vehicle driver got out and inspected both vehicles, then got back into his car and drove away without leaving any of his information. The witness was able to provide a licence plate number and police were able to locate the suspect driver. The driver was issued a violation ticket for failing to stop after a collision. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
Thefts from Vehicles
Overnight on May 13, a thief gained access to a vehicle parked in the 6000 block of Silverstone Lane, Sechelt, and stole some change and a pair of binoculars. The vehicle appears to have been left unlocked. Police remind the public to remove any valuables from their vehicles and to keep them locked to deter opportunistic thieves.
• Overnight on May 14, a thief gained entry to vehicle parked in the 5600 block of Osprey Street, Sechelt, and stole a wallet containing identification, bank and credit cards. The vehicle appears to have been left unlocked.
– Sunshine Coast RCMP
