The Sunshine Coast is joining the current trend of disturbing, violent criminal acts with a couple of serious incidents.
The term home invasion is one everyone is familiar with. A few years back, the Lower Mainland received national attention when a rash of home invasion robberies crippled many peoples lives.
That trend seems to be shifting to the Coast.
During the summer, an elderly woman was the target of an alleged home invasion. The case is still unsolved. Then there was the incident involving James Johnson. Two suspects broke into his home, beat him and drove him to a bank machine where they demanded he withdraw a large amount of cash. One 18-year-old has been sentenced to four years in jail for that home invasion.
This week, police are investigating two more serious incidents. One case involves three young men who broke into a home in Sechelt last Friday and accosted two elderly citizens. The occupants were not seriously hurt, thankfully. The suspects made off with booze, cash, a wallet and a digital camera. Some of the items have been recovered, but the suspects are still at large. Police are hoping the public can aid in the investigation. The second incident involved a group of six people who broke into a home in Gibsons, injured a young man, tied him up and dragged him to Sechelt. The victim was allegedly linked to a break and enter. After being led to a weapon, the suspects handed over the victim to police.
These suspects were arrested and are facing a boat load of charges for their so-called act of kindness.
While we're sure police appreciate getting a tip and information, breaking into someone's home and dragging them out is not a smart idea. This type of behaviour is downright scary.
If you want to help, provide information to the police. There is someone out there who may have seen something last Friday night in Sechelt and can give police information that will lead to an arrest.
This increasing level of violence in our community is alarming, but so is taking the law into one's own hands.
