Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Sept. 11 to 18:
Traffic Incidents
• On Sept. 11, a hit and run was reported at a parking lot in the 4800 block of Pool Lane, Garden Bay. As the witness was able to provide a licence plate number and vehicle description, police followed up with the registered owner and driver. The driver, who was not impaired but advised she had medical issues that affected her eyesight, did not realize she’d struck the other vehicle. Police noted the damage to the driver’s vehicle and have requested a Driver’s Fitness Report and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On Sept. 13, police attended a two-vehicle incident on Highway 101 near Field Road, Sechelt, after the first vehicle stopped suddenly due to slowing traffic, and was rear-ended by the second vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle advised she’d noticed the stopped traffic but was unable to respond in time. Both vehicles sustained significant damage and had to be towed from the scene, but no major injuries were reported. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On Sept. 14, police attended a two-vehicle incident on Teredo Street at Shorncliffe Avenue, Sechelt, after the first vehicle, which was westbound on Shorncliffe Avenue, attempted to make a left turn onto Teredo Street and collided with the second vehicle that was in the northbound lane. The collision caused noticeable damage to both vehicles but no life-threatening injuries were reported. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On Sept. 15, a possible impaired driver was reported after the vehicle was witnessed swerving all over the road and driving at erratic speeds northbound on Highway 101 from Marlene Road, Roberts Creek. The witness provided a vehicle description including licence plate and police located the suspect vehicle a short while later. The driver, who was not impaired and not from the Coast, advised that his windshield wipers were malfunctioning and he was having visibility issues. The driver agreed to stop if the rain picked up again and to wait until it was safe to continue driving.
• On Sept. 15, a hit and run involving a possible impaired driver was reported at a business in the 5500 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, after the driver was seen behaving unsteadily before getting into his vehicle, reversing out of his stall, and rubbing against a vehicle parked beside him in the process. Bystanders tried to intervene and get the driver’s attention to stop but he sped out of the parking lot at high speed and was last seen heading north on Highway 101. A witness was able to note the suspect vehicle licence plate so police will be following up with the registered owner.
• On Sept. 15, police witnessed a southbound vehicle on Highway 101 near Heather Road, Sechelt, speeding and swerving in its lane. Police initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver who admitted to having consumed alcohol earlier in the day. Noting the driver was exhibiting signs of possible intoxication, the driver 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.
Found Cell Phone
• On Sept. 13, a distinctive cell phone that had been found in the Kinnikinnick Park Trails was turned in to the RCMP. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference file 2018-6535.
Shoplifting and Thefts from Vehicle
• On Sept. 15, police attended a theft report at a business in the 4300 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after staff witnessed a suspect leaving with unpaid merchandise. Staff confronted the suspect and managed to recover the merchandise but the suspect fled in a vehicle before police arrival. Police reviewed the security video footage and confirmed the theft and identified the suspect. The suspect was located later and arrested for Theft Under $5,000. The suspect was released on a promise to appear for court and has been banned from the business. The file is still under investigation.
• Overnight on Sept. 17, a suspect gained entry to an unlocked vehicle parked in the 4900 block of Geer Road, Sechelt, and stole a large amount of cash from a wallet that had been left inside. Nothing else was stolen and no damage was reported.
Fraud Alert
• A Coast resident reported falling victim to the popular “grandchild” scam after receiving a call from a suspect purporting to be the resident’s grandson. The “grandson” told the resident he was in jail and needed bail money, which the resident agreed to pay. The caller also asked the resident not to tell anyone about this as he was embarrassed by the circumstances. The resident withdrew a significant amount of cash and took it to another local bank to deposit the money into another account as directed by the caller. When the resident checked up on his actual grandson a few days later, he realized he’d been taken advantage of by fraudsters. To learn more about this and other common scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. Please share this information with your friends and family.
– Sunshine Coast RCMP
