Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Aug. 9 to 16:
On Aug. 14, a Coast resident reported a fraud after responding to an online marketplace ad for an RV for sale in the Lower Mainland. The resident traded correspondence with the seller who requested a deposit to hold the RV until the resident could get over to see it. The resident e-transferred the deposit, and once received, the seller ceased communication with the resident. The resident, who did attempt to verify the seller’s identity by requesting a copy of the seller’s identification, had some of the seller’s information that police may be able to follow up on. To learn more about this and other common 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. Please share this information with your family and friends.
Theft of Boat
• Overnight on Aug. 11, a suspect stole a seven-foot Livingston boat that had been tied up at the Granthams Landing pier. The white boat had a blue interior and two stainless steel brackets installed on one side for lifting. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-800039.
Theft of Gasoline
• Between Aug. 12 and 15, a suspect stole gasoline by drilling a hole in gas tanks of vehicles parked in the 12600 block of Madeira Park Road, Madeira Park. One driver managed to drive to a local business before discovering the mischief as the gasoline poured out of the hole. A second driver discovered the suspect had drained most of the tank before plugging the hole with a screw, leaving her with enough gas to get home. Police believe this kind of theft has been an ongoing, underreported issue for the past month or so. Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-800041 or 2021-5582.
Impaired Collision
• On Aug. 12, police attended a two-vehicle incident in the 6600 block of Egmont Road, Egmont, after the first vehicle collided into a second unoccupied parked vehicle and rolled over as a result. One passenger was taken to Sechelt Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries and the first vehicle sustained significant damage. Police noted the driver exhibiting signs of possible impairment from alcohol and gave the driver a roadside alcohol screening test. After two fail results, the out-of-province driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Attempted Theft
• Just before midnight on Aug. 15, a suspect triggered the alarm at a business in the 5600 block of Inlet Avenue, Sechelt. The property representative attended and discovered that the suspect had pried open the door to the premises as well as on a vending machine, but appears to have fled before anything was actually stolen. Police are reviewing security video footage and the file is still under investigation.
Theft from Vehicle
• Overnight on Aug. 13, a suspect gained access to a vehicle parked in the 800 block of Oshea Road, Gibsons, through an unlocked window and stole a wallet containing identification and other items. No other items were stolen and no damage was reported. Police remind everyone to remove any valuables from their vehicles in order to deter opportunistic thieves and to avoid potential identity theft.
Impaired Driving
• On Aug. 13, police witnessed a vehicle fail to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Reef Road and Links Street, Sechelt. Police initiated a traffic stop and noted the driver exhibiting signs of possible intoxication from alcohol. The driver was given a roadside alcohol screening test and after two fail results, was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On Aug. 14, a witness reported a possible impaired driver on Highway 101 near Leek Road, Roberts Creek, after the westbound vehicle swerved in and out of its lane, crossed the double solid line at times, and almost struck other vehicles. Police located the suspect vehicle in Davis Bay and witnessed it cross the double solid line in front of them, nearly colliding with the patrol car. Police initiated a traffic stop and noted the driver exhibiting signs of possible intoxication from alcohol. The driver, who advised she’d consumed alcohol prior to driving, was given a roadside alcohol screening test. After two fail results, the driver was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Hit and Run
• On Aug. 15, a hit and run occurred on Highway 101 near Field Road, Sechelt, after a westbound motorcycle passed a vehicle on the left over a double solid line and clipped the vehicle’s side view mirror, breaking it and leaving scrapes along the driver’s side panel. The motorist pulled over but the motorcyclist, who appeared to be a part of a group, rode off without stopping to trade information with the motorist. The motorist did manage to get the licence plate of the suspect motorcycle and the file is still under investigation.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
