Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Aug. 17 to 24:
Thieves broke into a pair of Sechelt businesses late last week, while an attempt was made earlier in the week to break into a third business using a blowtorch.
The failed attempt was made at around 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 18 at a business in the 5500 block of Highway 101. The suspect clipped a sheet from an awning to block the view of the front door from the street and appears to have used a blowtorch in an effort to melt a hole in the glass door. The suspect fled the scene before actual entry was gained. Video surveillance shows a male suspect of medium build wearing a hoody and shorts. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-5705.
Early on Aug. 20, police attended a break and enter to a business in the 5600 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt. The suspect, who gained entry by smashing a glass front door with a rock, stole beer and liquor and homemade Rice Krispies squares. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-5768.
On Aug. 22 at around 11:30 p.m., a suspect tripped an alarm at a business in the 4300 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after breaking through a glass door. The suspect gained entry to the premises and stole cash from a tip jar before fleeing the premises. No other damage or theft was reported. Police are reviewing security camera footage and the file is still under investigation.
Theft
• Overnight on Aug. 18, a suspect stole an electric bike from a residence in the 600 block of North Road, Gibsons. The stolen bike is described as an orange “Red Power” model. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-5706.
• Sometime between Aug. 15 and 16, a suspect stole a telescope from the front porch of a residence in the 5700 block of Boulevard Street, Sechelt. The stolen telescope is described as a silver Tasco 9000 series with extra lenses and a tripod. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-5738.
• On Aug. 23, police attended a theft of an unassembled aluminum building from a vehicle parked in the 5900 block of Garden Bay Road, Garden Bay. The stolen materials would make a 30-by-40-ft. aluminum structure with a domed roof. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file number 2020-5874.
Impaired Driving
• On Aug. 18, a witness reported a possible impaired driver leaving a business in the 1100 block of Highway 101, Gibsons. As the witness was able to provide the licence plate number as well as vehicle and driver description, police located the suspect driver a short time later. The driver, who advised she’d consumed alcohol a couple of hours prior to driving, was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test. 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.
• On Aug. 19, a witness reported a possible impaired driver sitting in an improperly parked vehicle in the 4700 block of Highway 101, Sechelt. Police attended within minutes and located the suspect driver in the still-running vehicle. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of possible intoxication from alcohol, was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test. The driver, who advised she’d consumed alcohol earlier in the evening, was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Mischief
• On Aug. 18, a business in the 1600 block of Field Road, Sechelt, reported that two days earlier, security video captured a male suspect walking around the parking lot, looking at some vehicles, before approaching the actual business building. The male then kicked two glass doors, damaging the glass in the process, before leaving the scene on foot. Police have identified the suspect and the file is still under investigation.
Found Property
• On Aug. 20, a set of vehicle shocks were found in downtown Sechelt. Owner may claim with detailed description within 90 days. Please reference police file 2020-5774.
• On Aug. 20, a hearing aid accessory found along Davis Bay beach was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2020-5776.
Scam
• On Aug. 22, a Coast resident received a text that appeared to come from her employer asking the resident to purchase a large amount of Apple gift cards. The resident did so and as per the text, sent the activation codes to her “employer.” The resident later contacted her employer to confirm he’d received the gift card numbers and realized that she had been scammed. Unfortunately, it is unlikely the resident will recoup the cost of the activated gift cards. To learn more about this and other common scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
– Const. Jihan McDougall, Sunshine Coast RCMP
