Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following from July 2 to 8:
• On July 2, police attended a small grass fire in the 5500 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after a witness reported and photographed the only person seen near the fire before he attempted to hitchhike from the area. Police located the suspect who was identified from the photo and determined the suspect had lit a firework with no intention to start a fire but had disposed of it on the grass. Fortunately, the witness was able to put the fire out, which was confirmed by the Sechelt Volunteer Fire Department. The suspect was warned about the potential consequences of his actions and issued a violation ticket for dropping, releasing, or mishandling a burning substance.
Found Property
• On July 5, two separate sums of cash were found at a business in the 700 Park Road, Gibsons. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please quote files 2019-4273 and 2019-4274.
• On July 2, a cell phone that had been found on Gower Point Road, Gibsons, was turned in. The cell phone was in a distinctive case. Owner may claim with detailed description within 90 days. Please reference police file 2019-4199.
Scam
• On July 2, a Coast resident reported falling for a common scam after responding to a job ad on a popular online classified site. As part of the “job,” the resident was sent a cheque for a large sum of money, which he was to deposit into his own bank account, keep a portion as payment for his work, and e-transfer the bulk of the money back to the company. The resident did as he was instructed, only to learn that the cheque was fraudulent and that he was likely now out the funds he’d e-transferred out of his account. This type of fraud is a variation of the “overpayment” scam. To learn more about this and other common scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca, the Competition Bureau of Canada’s Little Black Book of Scams at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org
• On July 3, a Coast resident reported an attempted fraud after she received a phone call from someone purporting to be with the “Child’s Rights Protection Agency.” The scammer told the resident that the resident’s computer IP address was showing that they were accessing child pornography and the scammer persuaded the resident to allow them remote access to their computer. The resident agreed and the scammer then showed the resident pornography that was supposedly on the computer and then requested money to protect the computer. The resident told the scammer she was going to call police and the scammer told her not to, that they were the ones who were supposed to report any offences. The call ended shortly after that and fortunately, the resident did not send any money. The resident has been advised to contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre, credit bureaus, and her bank and to change all passwords. The resident also allowed police to seize the computer to try to determine where the pornography originated.
Theft
• Early on July 2, a suspect gained entry to a vehicle parked in the 5400 block of Sinku Drive, Sechelt, and stole a Saws-All saw, two Fiskar brand axes and a 16-inch Stihl chainsaw. The vehicle, which had been left unsecured with a window open, was not damaged. Anyone with any information about this break and enter is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-4205.
• On July 8, police attended a report of ongoing thefts occurring for the last two weeks at a property in the 6200 block of Highway 101. The suspect(s), who may have been on foot, have stolen a large variety of items including multiple car batteries, 50 feet of welding cables, chrome rear bumpers for a 1970s Trans Am and chrome front bumpers for a 1968 Firebird. Anyone with information about any of these items or incidents is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-4346.
Mischief
• Late on July 3, a mischief in progress was reported after a male was seen walking behind a vehicle parked near the intersection of Wharf Avenue and Ebbtide Street, Sechelt, and the caller heard the sound of a spray can being emptied. The caller believed the male was tagging the car, which was confirmed when police attended and noted the black paint on the hidden side of the car. The suspect was described as a dark-haired Caucasian male in his 20s with a slim build, about six feet tall wearing an orange and green plaid shirt. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-4236.
• On July 4, a theft from a vehicle was reported in the 5800 block of Sunshine Coast Highway, Sechelt, after the homeowner found an unknown female on his property. The female said she thought she knew the previous property owner, then changed her story and left. The homeowner then discovered that several items were missing from his unlocked vehicle, and that the suspect had left behind a notebook containing personal information inside. The homeowner also found the suspect had entered a building on the property, again leaving behind personal belongings. Police tracked down the suspect, recovered the stolen items, and returned her belongings to her as well. As the homeowner was not interested in charges, the suspect was given a warning and told not to attend that property again.
Impaired Driving
• On July 5, while conducting a roadblock on Highway 101 at Monkey Tree Lane, Sechelt, police stopped a possible impaired driver. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of possible impairment by alcohol, was given a roadside alcohol screening test. After two fail results, the driver was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
• On July 7, a possible impaired driver was reported northbound on Highway 101 near Westly Road, Davis Bay, after the vehicle was witnessed swerving in its lane and driving at inconsistent speeds. Police located the vehicle and spoke with the driver, who advised that he was new to the Coast and had been looking for a place to eat. Police gave the driver a roadside alcohol screening test which confirmed he was sober. The driver was warned about his distracted driving and allowed to proceed on his way.
Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
