Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for July 26 to Aug. 2:
On Aug. 2 at approximately 4:15 a.m., a vandal threw a foam bomb at a northbound vehicle on Highway 101 near Davis Bay Road, Sechelt. The driver made it home safely where he attempted to clean the foam off the driver’s side of his vehicle only to find the foam was hardened insulation foam which was embedded in all the cracks of his vehicle and going to require an expensive cleaning process. The driver reported that the foam bomb was thrown from the water side of the highway. Anyone with any information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-5216.
Collision
• On July 30, police attended a three-vehicle incident on Highway 101 near Snodgrass Road, Sechelt, after the first northbound vehicle stopped to make a left turn off the highway and was struck from behind by the second vehicle, which sent the first vehicle into oncoming traffic where it was T-boned by a third vehicle. The first and third vehicles sustained significant damage and had to be towed from the scene, and the second vehicle was seized for a mechanical inspection. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported. The file is still under investigation.
Wildfire Act
• On July 26, police received a report of two suspicious brush fires half a kilometre apart on Highway 101 just north of the Smugglers Cove turn off in Halfmoon Bay. Given the close proximity to the roadway, it appears the fires started when someone discarded a cigarette butt out of their vehicle. Fortunately, the Halfmoon Bay Volunteer Fire Department was able to extinguish both fires before they grew out of control. Smokers are reminded to discard their cigarette butts responsibly to avoid causing fires during these extremely dry conditions. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-5069.
• On Aug. 2, a witness reported a resident in the 3300 block of Kraus Road, Roberts Creek, burning rubbish in their yard. Police attended and located the remnants of a wood scrap fire in a fire bowl. The residents were warned about the significant dangers of burning anything during the complete provincial campfire ban and issued a violation ticket under the Wildfire Act for failing to comply with fire restrictions, which carries a $1,150 fine.
Theft
• Sometime between July 20 and 27, a suspect siphoned nearly 100 litres of gas from a vehicle parked at the Government Wharf in Madeira Park. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-5075.
• Sometime between July 24 and 27, a suspect attempted to steal a catalytic converter off a vehicle parked in the 5800 block of Sechelt Inlet Road, Sechelt, but appears to have been interrupted before they could complete the job. It appears the suspect used a copper cutter tool, and fortunately, the owner was able to weld the cut and save the catalytic converter. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-5136
• Overnight on July 30, a suspect stole a chainsaw from the back of a vehicle parked in the 1400 block of Highway 101, Gibsons. The stolen chainsaw is described as a STIHL 170 and had a new carburetor. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-5156.
• On July 29 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., a suspect cut the cable lock off a bike stored at a residence in the 700 block of School Road, Gibsons. The suspect left behind a set of bolt cutters and the cable. The stolen bike is described as a silver and blue Norco mountain bike with bright blue handlebars and pedals. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-5157.
• Overnight on Aug. 2, a thief stole an honour cashbox installed at a farm stand in the 700 block of Henry Road, Gibsons. The one-foot square metal cashbox had been bolted down and contained a large amount of cash. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-5220.
Cannabis Control Licensing Act
• On July 27, police witnessed a vehicle speeding east on Reed Road near Payne Road, Gibsons, and initiated a traffic stop. While speaking with the driver, police noted the odour of marijuana and the driver advised he’d just finished a marijuana cigarette. Police seized the remaining marijuana cigarettes and the driver received a violation ticket for consuming cannabis while operating a motor vehicle. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Impaired Driving
• Late on July 30, police witnessed a distracted driver westbound on Highway 101 near Westly Road, Sechelt, driving with a cellphone in hand looking down away from the road. Police initiated a traffic stop and noted the driver exhibiting signs of possible impairment as well. The driver was given a roadside alcohol screening test and after two warn results, was issued a three-day immediate roadside prohibition as well as a violation ticket for using an electronic device while driving. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC and ICBC.
• On Aug. 1, a possible impaired driver was reported in the 8500 block of Highway 101, Halfmoon Bay, after the vehicle was seen swerving in and out of its lane. Police located the vehicle in downtown Sechelt and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was exhibiting signs of possible impairment by drugs and police noted an empty THC product box on the centre console. The driver was given a Standardized Field Sobriety Test and after a fail result, the driver was issued a 24-hour driving suspension and his vehicle was towed for safety purposes from where it had stopped on the roadway.
– Const. Jihan McDougall, Sunshine Coast RCMP
