Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for July 20 to 29:
• On July 27 and July 29, police received numerous reports of found mail, both unopened and opened mail, in areas ranging from Halfmoon Bay, West Sechelt, Roberts Creek, and Gibsons. It appears the much of the mail was left out overnight and it was quite wet. All found mail has been returned to Canada Post. Residents with any concerns or questions about their mail are asked to contact Canada Post directly. Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact RCMP.
Unequipped Boaters
• On July 20, the police boat was out patrolling the waters around Keats Island and checking boat operators for Small Vessel Regulations infractions. Canada Shipping Act Violation Notice Warning tickets were issued to a number of operators for the following deficiencies: operators licences, flares, boat operator cards, heaving lines, paddles, sounding devices, flashlights, and bailing devices.
Scam
• On July 22, a Coast resident reported falling for a rental scam after responding to an ad in a popular online classifieds. The resident communicated with the purported owner only through email and was told that the person was working overseas so was renting his apartment in the meantime. After multiple emails, the resident was told she could have the apartment but in order to hold it, would be required to pay one month’s rent and damage deposit, to be held in escrow. Then, if the resident chose not to take the apartment after viewing it, the money would be returned to her in full. The resident was given the escrow company info, which she researched online and determined to be a popular company used by landlords and tenants, so transferred the funds to the account info provided by the bogus owner. Once the funds were transferred, the other party ceased communicating with the resident and she realized she’d been scammed. Further investigation showed the scammer had modified the escrow company email address from the legitimate company’s address to look authentic. To learn more about this and other common scams, and how to protect yourself from them, please visit sites such as The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
Prohibited Driver
• On July 23, police noticed a vehicle on Wharf Avenue near Dolphin Street, Sechelt, that did not have a front licence plate. Police initiated a traffic stop and determined that the lone driver and occupant was a prohibited driver. The driver was arrested for driving while prohibited and released on a promise to appear for court. His vehicle was also impounded. The file is still under investigation.
Theft
• Early on July 24, a suspect stole a cooler containing an assortment of tools from behind a business in the 600 block of North Road, Gibsons. The suspect was captured on security video looking through other items in the area before walking away with the cooler of tools. The suspect is a Caucasian male and he was accompanied by a dog.
• Early on July 29, a suspect stole a blue dirt bike from a residence in the 5900 block of Sechelt Inlet Road, Sechelt. The stolen bike is described as a 230cc Yamaha with an off-road plate on the front fork. The seat has been repaired with blue tape and the shift lever end has been snapped off. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, police file 2019-4927.
• Overnight on July 29, a suspect gained entry to a vehicle parked in the 1200 block of Point Road, Gibsons, and stole a variety of items from inside including hockey cards, documents, and spare change. The suspect also gained entry to a second vehicle parked in the same area and stole a variety of items from the glove box. No damage to the vehicles was noted.
Impaired Driving
• On July 27, police noted a motorcyclist in the 500 block of Shaw Road, Gibsons, who was not wearing a helmet. Police initiated a traffic stop and noted the rider was exhibiting signs of possible impairment by alcohol. The rider was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test and was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and the bike was impounded for 30 days. The rider was also given a violation ticket for no insurance. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Found Property
• On June 28, a woman’s bag was found on the road near Norwest Bay Road, Sechelt. It contained a variety of items but no identification. Owner may claim with detailed description within 90 days. Please reference police file 2019-4895.
Mischief
• Overnight on July 28, a suspect damaged a number of windows on a building in the 600 block of Reed Road, Gibsons. It appears that a small pick or tool was used to break through the first pane of the windows. No other damage or theft was reported.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
