Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Sept. 24 to Oct. 3:
• Early on Oct. 1, a break and enter was reported at the Sunshine Coast Transit compound in the 5900 block of Mason Road, Sechelt. The suspect gained entry to two commercial buses on the property and ripped out the fare boxes, stealing an as-yet-undetermined amount of coins. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-6881.
Theft of Art
• Sometime between Sept. 27 and Oct. 3, a large raven carving was stolen from a residence in the 4600 block of Francis Peninsula Road, Pender Harbour. The unpainted wood carving is described as being three and a half feet across. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-6963.
Stolen Bikes
• Around mid-September, a men’s 18-speed mountain bike was stolen from outside a residence on Crucil Road, Gibsons. The stolen Norco Fluid model bike is described as blue-grey in colour and in excellent used condition. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-6887.
• Sometime around Sept. 29, a child’s bike was stolen from a residence in the 5700 block of Cartier Road, Sechelt. The Norco Storm 4.1 model bike is described as fuschia pink and in excellent condition. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-6889.
Fraud
• On Oct. 2, a Coast resident reported a fraud after making an arrangement with the suspect online to purchase Bitcoin on the suspect’s behalf. The suspect sent the resident cheques that supposedly covered the cost of the Bitcoin plus the resident’s commission. The resident deposited these cheques into her account then withdrew the cash. The resident then went to a business in the Lower Mainland where she used a barcode provided by the suspect to purchase the Bitcoin, and paid using the cash. After this occurred, the suspect sent the resident another large cheque to do another similar transaction but the resident’s bank held this cheque and told the resident it and the previous cheques were fraudulent. The resident, who had little information about the suspect and had only communicated via text and email, tried to contact the suspect to discuss the matter but discovered she’d been blocked by the suspect. To learn about this and other common types of 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.
Shoplifting
• On Sept. 24, a shoplifter was caught on surveillance video stealing a variety of seafood and meat from a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt. Staff were advised that the suspect then attempted to sell the items on the street. Police have identified the suspect and are attempting to locate him. The file is still under investigation.
Impaired Driving
• On Oct. 3, police initiated a traffic stop on Tita Way, Sechelt, with a driver known to have an expired driver’s licence. The driver, who exhibited signs of intoxication by alcohol, was given a roadside alcohol screening test and after two fail results, was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition along with a violation ticket for no driver’s licence. The driver’s vehicle was also impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Hit and Run
• On Oct. 1, a hit and run was reported in a parking lot in the 5500 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after an empty car was struck by a truck. A witness noted the licence plate and told the truck driver to leave a note for the empty car owner. The truck driver left a note, which turned out to be a blank piece of paper, and left the scene. When the car owner returned to her vehicle, the witness gave her the vehicle and suspect driver information. The car owner located the truck and driver nearby and he admitted he’d left the fake note as he didn’t have valid insurance. The file is still under investigation.
Found Property
• On Oct. 1, a large cell phone that had been found in the 4300 block of Highway 101, Wilson Creek, was turned in to the RCMP. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2019-6897.
• On Oct. 2, a bike found on Osprey Street, Sechelt, was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference file 2019-6917.
• On Sept. 27, a small piece of office equipment that appeared new and still wrapped in plastic was found on the street in 600 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2019-6962.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
