Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for March 8 to 15:
On March 15 at around 4 a.m., three youths were witnessed attempting to kick open a window at a business in the 1000 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons, before being scared off by a passerby. The suspects, who included a female who appeared to be recording the group, appear to be involved in a number of mischief incidents around upper Gibsons, including damage to bus shelters, a park bench, and a fuse box at another business in the area. Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-1620.
Theft
• On March 9, a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, reported a theft after a male suspect entered the store, picked up a cat-scratching post and ran out of the premises without paying for it. The suspect, who is described as a six-foot-tall male, about 40, with a heavy build and sandy hair, was wearing a black hat, sweater, pants, and mask. Police are reviewing security video footage.
• On March 9, staff at a business in the 5500 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, witnessed a male suspect take an item off a shelf and then flee the premises without paying for it. Staff followed the suspect, who then broke into a run and dropped the item before fleeing the scene. Staff recovered the stolen property which fortunately was undamaged. The business was able to provide a photo of the suspect but police were unable to locate him.
• On March 11, staff at a business in the 5400 block of Trail Avenue, Sechelt, reported a theft after witnessing the male suspect emerge from an aisle concealing an item in his jacket. The suspect left the premises without paying and staff followed him outside. Staff witnessed the suspect place the stolen item down briefly and asked him for a receipt at which point the suspect grabbed the item and fled on foot. The suspect is described as Caucasian male, about 40, with brown hair and beard and multiple eyebrow piercings. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-1541.
Theft from Vehicle
• Overnight on March 12, a suspect smashed a window on a vehicle parked in the 5700 block of Mermaid Street, Sechelt, and stole a number of power tools including a Milwaukee drill, Bosch screw gun, a new B&G spray tank, three speed squares, and assorted smaller tools such as tin snips, battery chargers, and a tool bag. Police are reviewing security camera footage and the file is still under investigation. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-1555.
• On March 11 at approximately 2:15 a.m., two male suspects were caught on security video gaining access through an unlocked door to a vehicle parked in the 800 block of Oshea Road, Gibsons. While one male acted as a lookout, the second male stole a black cylindrical JBL Bluetooth speaker. Police are reviewing the security camera footage and the file is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-1561.
Fraud
• On March 10, a Coast resident received a notice on her computer, purportedly from a well-known computer company, warning that her computer had been infected with a virus and to contact the number provided for assistance. The resident made the call and was convinced by the scammer to allow them remote access to the resident’s computer. The scammer convinced the resident to provide her banking information, and in seeing how much money the resident had in one account, told the resident her money was in jeopardy in the one account and instructed her to transfer all the funds to another of her accounts at a large financial institution. The scammer, who kept warning the resident not to tell anyone in her family or at the bank what she was doing, continued to contact the resident to try to get her to tell her bank to waive the 48-hour holding period for large transactions. Fortunately, the resident did contact RCMP to ask if this was a scam, and after being told this was definitely a scam, was able to get to her bank before the funds transfer was completed. To learn more about the common red flags (such as when someone tells you not to tell family, friends or police about something you’re being asked to do with your money) and popular 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.
Collision
• On March 11, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 5000 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after a northbound vehicle went off road and into a telephone pole, shearing it in half. Fortunately, a witness saw the vehicle go off road out of view and was able to call for assistance. The lone driver and occupant was able to exit the vehicle on his own and was cleared by Emergency Health Services, however the vehicle sustained significant damage and had to be towed from the scene. The unimpaired driver was issued a violation ticket for failing to keep right and the matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Driving Prohibited
• On March 12, police witnessed a vehicle, whose owner is known not to possess a valid driver’s licence, being driven on Highway 101 near Wharf Avenue, Sechelt. Police initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, who was not the owner, but was a prohibited driver. The driver also advised he’d recently smoked marijuana. The driver was given a standard field sobriety test and issued a 24-hour driving prohibition as well as an appearance notice for court for driving while prohibited. The vehicle was also impounded for seven days. The file is still under investigation.
Impaired Driving
• On March 13, a witness reported a possible impaired driver northbound on Highway 101 from Gibsons to Sechelt. The driver was seen consuming a number of alcoholic beverages before getting into his vehicle and driving away. Police located the suspect vehicle and driver in Sechelt and initiated a traffic stop. Police noted the driver was exhibiting signs of possible impairment from alcohol and the driver was given a roadside alcohol screening test. After a warn result, the driver was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On March 15, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 4900 block of Irvines Landing Road, Pender Harbour, and noted the lone driver and occupant exhibiting signs of possible impairment from alcohol. The driver, who was treated by Emergency Health Services for minor injuries, was given a roadside alcohol screening test and after two fail results, was issued a 90- day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
– Const. Jihan McDougall, Sunshine Coast RCMP
