Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Oct. 23 to 30:
Vehicle theft
• On Oct. 28, police responded to an auto theft by a male youth from a residence in the 3500 block of Beach Avenue, Roberts Creek, and due to a tracking device in the vehicle, were able locate the vehicle in Gibsons. Police and the Police Dog Service approached the vehicle but the vehicle fled, striking part of a building and sideswiping one of the police cars. Police followed the vehicle to the intersection of Chaster Road and Pratt Road, where it stopped, reversed into the police vehicle, then continued at slow speed before coming to a stop. The driver and his passenger were arrested and transported to the RCMP detachment for questioning. The driver, who was charged with Flight from Police, Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle and Theft of a Motor Vehicle, was released to a supervising adult. The file is still under investigation.
False 911
• On Oct. 30, police attended a Coast residence to confirm the well being of the caller after receiving a 911 call. The caller stayed on the line and told the dispatcher she was attempting to find the hockey game on TV and that there was no emergency. However, as per policy, police needed to confirm that in person. Upon arrival, police spoke with the caller, who explained she was having trouble locating the Canucks game on TV, which was supposed to be on channel 911. Police noted the caller appeared to be using the phone to attempt to change channels, which explained the 911 call. The officer, who also noted the phone and remote looked very similar, helped set the TV to the hockey game and walked about the house to confirm no other emergencies existed before leaving.
Hit and Run
• On Oct. 30 at approximately 5 p.m., a hit and run involving a pedestrian and vehicle occurred on Highway 101, Gibsons. The pedestrian reported that he’d been crossing northbound when a burgundy Dodge Grand Caravan with an older male driver and older female passenger made a right hand turn off Payne Road onto the highway and struck him at slow speed. The pedestrian was able to jump up and hit the hood, sustaining minor injuries. The driver, who made eye contact with the pedestrian, did not stop to offer assistance and continued on northbound. Unfortunately, no licence plate was obtained. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference RCMP file 17-7365.
Break and Enter
• Overnight on Oct. 25, a thief broke into a business in the 4300 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, by prying open a back door to gain access and stole some cash from a cash box. No other theft or damage was reported. The file is still under investigation.
Attempted Fraud
• On Oct. 25, a local business reported an attempted fraud after receiving an email that appeared to be coming from the business owner, asking staff to transfer a large sum of money to pay for a supplier invoice (the invoice was also sent to the staff member). The staffer replied to the email with a question about procedure and received a response that raised suspicions, so the staffer phoned the business owner directly, and learned that he had never sent those emails. The staffer also noticed that the invoice had some suspicious features, such as instructions to make the payment to a person instead of to the company. To learn more about how to protect yourself from these types of scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centre
antifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
Impaired Drivers
• On Oct. 26, police witnessed a vehicle travelling more than 30 kilometres over the posted speed limit on Mason Road near Wigard Road, Sechelt. Police initiated a traffic stop and noted the driver emitting the odour of alcohol. The driver, who admitted to consuming alcohol a short time prior to driving, was given a roadside alcohol screening test. After two “warn” results, the driver was issued a three-day driving prohibition and a violation ticket for Speed Against Municipal Sign. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On Oct. 27, a witness reported a possible impaired driver drinking alcohol while parked at the BC Ferries terminal in Langdale. Police attended and noted an open and full beer in the front with the driver. The driver, who advised he’d only taken a sip from the can, was given a roadside alcohol screening test which confirmed he was not impaired. The alcohol was seized and the driver was issued a violation ticket for Open Liquor in a Motor Vehicle.
• On Oct. 28, a witness reported a driver drinking alcohol with his passengers while on the ferry to Langdale. Police located and initiated a traffic stop with the suspect vehicle and spoke with the driver, who admitted consuming alcohol shortly before driving. The driver was given a roadside alcohol screening test which resulted in a “warn.” The driver was issued a three-day immediate roadside prohibition and the vehicle was impounded. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Found Property
• On Oct. 26, a bike that had been found leaning up against a hedge in the 5600 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, was turned in. The bike may be claimed by owner with detailed description within 90 days. Please reference file 17-7253.
Traffic Incident
• On the morning of Oct. 27, police attended an incident involving a vehicle and cyclist on Highway 101, Gibsons, after a northbound cyclist collided with a vehicle making a left turn off the highway onto Henry Road. The driver stopped to assist the cyclist, who was later taken to hospital for minor non-life-threatening injuries, and all parties, including witnesses, remained on the scene. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
– Sunshine Coast RCMP
