Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for May 6 to 13:
• On May 8, police attended an animal call at Mission Point Park in Davis Bay after a mother bear and two cubs were spotted in the area at the same time as a group of school children on a field trip. The bears were gone upon police arrival but had apparently absconded with one of the school children’s backpacks and was last seen heading up the creek. Police were unable to locate the bears or the backpack.
• On May 9, police attended a two-vehicle incident on Redrooffs Road near Fawn Road after a northbound vehicle rear-ended a vehicle parked on the side of the road. The driver was not impaired and advised that she’d been distracted by an insect that had flown into the car when she collided with the parked vehicle. Fortunately, the driver did not report any serious injuries but the vehicle sustained significant damage. The parked heavy-duty vehicle was relatively unscathed. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
Theft
• On May 7, police attended a theft at a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, after the suspect was confronted by staff for stealing and refusing to cooperate. A brief scuffle ensued and the suspect, who is known to police, fled the scene on foot. Police are attempting to locate the suspect and the file is still under investigation.
• Overnight on May 8, a suspect gained entry to an unlocked vehicle parked in the 700 block of Park Road, Gibsons, rummaged through the contents and stole an older model Apple Mac laptop. The white laptop had an LGBTQ heart sticker on the cover and was in a purple shoulder bag. Anyone with information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 2019-2721.
• Sometime between April 2 and 24, a bike theft was reported at a residence in the 5700 block of Anchor Road, Sechelt. The owner advised that the black Norco 21-speed mountain bike had a rat-trap-style baggage holder on the rear and the name “Kolterman” engraved on the handlebars and bottom bracket. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-2762.
Break and Enter
• On May 7, police attended a break and enter in progress at a residence in the 5700 block of Dolphin Street, Sechelt, after the homeowner surprised two unknown suspects in her house who then fled on foot. Witnesses assisted police with a direction of travel and the suspect male and female, who had stolen some clothing and shoes, were located by police up a nearby trail. Both suspects were arrested for break and enter and released on promises to appear for court. The file is still under investigation.
Scams
• On May 7, a Sunshine Coast resident reported being scammed after applying for a loan with an online lending company. The resident provided the “company” with her personal information including Social Insurance Number and banking information. Then, after “approving” the resident for a loan, the company demanded a deposit to secure the loan since the resident did not have a good credit history. The resident sent several payments totalling into the thousands, but never received the actual loan. Since then, the resident has stopped receiving any communication from the company. The resident has been advised to contact Equifax and Transunion to help prevent any possible identity theft and her banks to prevent any further losses of funds.
• On May 11, a Coast resident reported falling for a popular scam after receiving a “virus warning” pop-up message on her computer. The resident called the number on the screen and was told that she had an infected computer but could purchase a lifetime security package for over a thousand dollars. The resident then gave permission to the “tech” to remotely access her computer for several hours. The resident later contacted Microsoft who advised her this was a scam. The resident was advised to take her computer to a local business for a checkup. To learn more about this and other common scams, see the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca and the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org.
Impaired driving
• On May 9, a witness reported a possible impaired driver in the 12800 block of Madeira Park Road, Madeira Park, after the suspect vehicle struck two parked cars and fled without leaving any information for the other drivers. Police located the suspect vehicle and driver nearby and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of possible intoxication by alcohol, was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test. The driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On May 12, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 5100 block of Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt, after the vehicle drove down an embankment and into a large hedge. The driver was extricated from the vehicle and as she was exhibiting signs of possible intoxication from alcohol, given a roadside alcohol screening test. After two fail results, she was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
