Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for July 4 to 11:
Illegal campfires
• On July 8, an ongoing problem with illegal campfires was reported on Dunham Road, Port Mellon. Police located the campers and warned them of the consequences of ignoring the current fire bans, including the fines associated. The fire was put out but police received a second complaint later that the campers had restarted their fire. Police returned to the site and issued the camp host a violation ticket for lighting fuel or using fire against restriction contrary to the Wildfire Act, which carries a $1,150 fine.
Traffic
• On July 4, a hit and run was reported in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, after a driver drove her vehicle’s front passenger side windshield into the lift of a tractor trailer, causing the windshield to break. The driver of the vehicle, who is described as an elderly Caucasian female with short, curly, white and grey hair, then reversed and fled the area. The truck and lift sustained minimal damage. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 17-4079.
Impaired Driving
On July 5, a possible impaired driver was reported in the 5500 block of Highway 101, Sechelt. Police located the suspect vehicle and spoke with the driver who admitted he’d consumed alcohol and smoked marijuana that day. The driver was given a roadside alcohol screening test and was found to be below the legal limit. However, as he was exhibiting clear signs of impairment, the driver was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and a violation ticket for having open liquor in a motor vehicle. His vehicle was also impounded for a day.
• On July 5, during a roadblock set up on Highway 101 at Monkey Tree Lane, Sechelt, police witnessed a vehicle speeding around the bend before coming to an abrupt stop. Police spoke with the driver, who was exhibiting signs of impairment. The driver advised he’d consumed alcohol earlier in the evening and was given a roadside alcohol screening test. After two “fail” results, the driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• On July 7, a possible impaired driver was reported passed out in his vehicle parked in the 1000 block of Roberts Creek Road, Roberts Creek. Police attended, noted open liquor in the vehicle, and spoke with the driver who admitted to drinking before driving. The driver, who exhibited signs of intoxication by alcohol, was unable to provide a proper breath sample for a roadside alcohol screening test so was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition for refusal and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Found Property
• On July 4, two phones that had been found on local transit buses in late June were turned in. Owners may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference file 17-4087 and 17-4088.
• On July 5, a Coach wallet found by a business in the 1000 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons, was turned in. Owner may claim with detailed description, reference file 17-4136.
Mischief and Theft
• Sometime between June 29 and July 4, a suspect gained entry to a vehicle parked in the 1600 block of Field Road, by prying open the passenger door and then punching the ignition. The suspect did not manage to get the vehicle started and nothing was reported stolen. Police are reviewing surveillance video footage. The file is still under investigation.
• On July 10, a theft from an out-of-country vehicle occurred at a park in the 15500 block of Highway 101, Egmont, after the occupants went into the public washroom. A witness, also headed to the washroom, reported seeing a Caucasian male in his 20s sitting in a small silver sporty Mazda vehicle appearing to watch until everyone was inside the washroom, and then heard a smashing sound. When the visitors returned to their vehicle, they found the passenger window smashed and a large black purse containing foreign passports, a wallet, and other items missing. The male in the silver vehicle was also gone from the scene. Anyone with any information about this theft from vehicle is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 17-4259.
Fraud
• On July 6, a Coast resident reported a possible scam after signing up with a large well-known Internet service provider. The resident, who was having trouble with his email, contacted what he believed was the provider’s customer service line, and was directed to a third party company called “Tech Remote Support” and given another number to call for help. The resident called the number and spoke with a representative who advised the resident that Windows was suffering from a “national cyber attack” and that it would cost the resident $200 US to fix the problem. The resident paid the fee and his email issues were resolved. The resident then consulted a local expert who advised the resident could have been scammed so the resident cancelled the credit card payment. The resident then received a call from “Tech Remote Support” advising that if the resident did not pay the fee, the caller would put a virus on the resident’s computer and cancel all the resident’s email accounts. The file is still under investigation to determine if the resident was indeed scammed or if he is a victim of bad business practices. To learn more about common scams and how to protect yourself, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
– Sunshine Coast RCMP
