Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Feb. 3 to 10:
Mischief
• Late on Feb. 3, a police officer witnessed a male youth throwing something onto the road in the 900 block of Gibsons Way.
The officer stopped his vehicle and spoke with the youth who admitted to removing a small shrub from the garden outside the nearby church and throwing it onto the road. As the shrub was not destroyed, the officer instructed the youth to re-plant the shrub. The apologetic youth was then taken home to his parents who were advised about their son's actions.
• Overnight on Feb. 5, a thief gained entry into an unlocked vehicle parked in the 5700 block of Louise Way in Sechelt stealing a number of items from the centre console, including a plastic container and small leather bag full of change.
The suspect also broke a CD and shoved shards of it into the ignition and headrest. Several items left behind at the scene have been turned over to the Forensic Identification Section for analysis. The file is still under investigation.
• Overnight on Feb. 5, a thief gained entry into an unlocked vehicle parked in the 5700 block of Ebbtide Street in Sechelt stealing a small portable dark grey Logitech speaker. The suspect also rifled through the glove box, tore off the lid to the centre console and took a pair of shoes left inside the vehicle and threw them into the trunk. The file is still under investigation.
• Overnight on Feb. 7, an unknown suspect gained entry into unlocked vehicles parked in the 5800 block Trail Avenue, 6100 block of Fairway Avenue, and 6500 block Gale Avenue North all in Sechelt.
The suspect rifled through glove boxes stealing small change from one vehicle, but other items of value, including keys, were left behind. Anyone with any information about these recurring incidents is asked to contact RCMP at 604-885-2266 and reference file 15-767.
Police again encourage the public to lock their vehicles, and regardless of whether a vehicle is locked or not, all valuables should be removed.
Break and enter/theft
• Overnight on Feb. 1 or 2, thieves gained entry into a business property in the 5700 block of Sechelt Inlet Road stealing a quantity of old copper wiring. The thieves cut through locks on a gate to access the area.
Any business owners that discover missing scrap metal are asked to contact RCMP at 604-885-2266.
• On Feb. 3, police were called to a business after staff reported a woman leaving the premises without paying for a frozen turkey.
The suspect, who had paid for some of her items, refused to stop despite repeated requests from staff and fled the scene in a vehicle. Staff noted the licence plate, and police located the suspect a short while later, where the suspect turned the bird over. The suspect was arrested for theft under $5,000 and released on a promise to appear and an undertaking not to attend the business.
• Late on Feb. 8, three youth smashed the glass on a vending machine at a business in the 800 block of Gibsons Way stealing the contents of the vending machine.
Two youth were seen walking past a security camera just before a third person spray-painted the lens. The first male was wearing all dark clothing with a distinctive camouflage patterned backpack that had bright orange or red buckles and a bright coloured handle on the top.
The second male was wearing a solid grey hoodie with dark pants and carried a grey or dull green backpack with long straps that hung down beside him while he walked. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 15-804.
Traffic
• On Feb. 6, an unsafe driver was reported southbound on Highway 101 from Davis Bay to Gibsons after the vehicle was witnessed several times driving crossing double solid lines into the on-coming lane to pass other vehicles, causing on-coming traffic to have to slam on brakes or swerve to avoid a collision.
The suspect driver also drove at erratic speeds and cut off traffic trying to pass on Rat Portage Hill in Roberts Creek.
Police located the suspect driver in Gibsons and issued him a violation ticket for driving without consideration.
• On Feb. 6, witnesses reported a possible impaired driver leaving the Langdale ferry terminal.
Police located the vehicle and witnessed it driving erratically before initiating a traffic stop. The driver exhibited signs of impairment and was given a standard field sobriety test. After a poor result, the driver was transported back to cells for further assessment by a drug recognition expert. The driver was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and his vehicle was impounded.
Police are still investigating, and impaired driving charges may be recommended at a later date. Police thank the witnesses for calling about the vehicle, and encourage everyone to report suspected impaired drivers.
