Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following March 7 to 14.
Counterfeiting
- On March 12 and 13, two businesses in Sechelt separately reported receiving a counterfeit US $50 bill from clients. One of the exchanges was caught on security video and police have been able to identify the suspects. The file is still under investigation.
Theft
- Between March 7 and 8, a suspect gained entry to communal mailboxes located at 5610 Trail Avenue, Sechelt, by prying open the doors. It is unknown if anything has been stolen. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2022-1655.
- On March 10 at approximately 10:30 a.m., a witness reported a male wearing a headlamp breaking into Canada Post community mailboxes located at Benner Road and Selma Park Road, Sechelt, stealing some mail, and fleeing the scene on a red, white, and blue or black bicycle. Police located the Caucasian male suspect nearby and arrested him. Police also located a number of stolen items and pieces of mail on the suspect, including keys to multiple Canada Post community mailboxes in the Sechelt area. Police are recommending multiple charges against the suspect, who is known to police, including mischief under $5,000, theft from mail, and possession of break-in instruments. The file is still under investigation.
- On March 10, between 7 p.m. and 8:45 p.m., a suspect stole a set of keys, including a car key, from a business in the 5500 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt and then stole a vehicle parked behind a business.On the afternoon of March 11, the unoccupied vehicle was located parked on Saltgrass Lane off Sechelt Inlet Road, Sechelt. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2022-1697.
- Overnight on March 11, a suspect gained entry to a boat parked at a residence in the 6200 block of Mika Road, Sechelt, and stole a number of items including a Nespresso machine, DeWalt tool set, Yeti tumblers, a Sea Ray bag, a vacuum and clamps. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2022-1704.
- On March 10, between 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., a suspect gained entry to an unsecured residence on Allen Road near Sechelt Inlet Road, Sechelt and stole an iPad and a number of rings. The six men’s rings were Arizona Navajo style, all made of sterling silver. Some had turquoise stones on them and a floral pattern. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2022-1693.
Fraud
- On March 8, a Coast resident reported falling victim to a common scam after receiving a phone call from a male advising that the resident’s bank and credit card accounts had been compromised. The scammer convinced the resident that the only way to identify the perpetrator was for the resident to purchase a large amount of prepaid credit cards. The resident did as instructed and provided the scammer with the activation codes. The scammer then informed the resident that the compromised bank and credit card accounts would be frozen. The resident then called their own bank directly to confirm the freezing of the accounts and learned that the accounts had not been compromised. The resident is unlikely to recover the monies spent on the prepaid credit cards. To learn more about the red flags to watch for, and how to protect yourself from falling victim to the most popular scams, please educate yourself by going to websites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca, the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org, or the Competition Bureau at www.competitionbureau.gc.ca where you may obtain a copy of the very helpful Little Black Book of Scams.
Break and enter
- On March 9, at around 3 a.m., two suspects were caught on surveillance camera breaking into a business in the 1000 block of Venture Way, Gibsons. The suspects damaged a fence to enter the property, accessed a building through an unsecured window and stole an HP laptop. One of the suspects, described as a Caucasian male in his late 20s to 30s, had dark medium-length hair, with short sides and was wearing tan boots, green camouflage pants and a black hoody with a grey jacket over top. The second suspect, also in his late 20s to 30s, was wearing a dark hoody with white writing and a circular design on the back with the word “Hustle,” dark ball cap, jeans, brown shoes and a red bandanna as a mask. Anyone with any information about this break and enter is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file number 2022-1651.
- On March 9, at approximately 2 a.m., suspects gained entry to a building in the 5600 block of Kingbird Crescent, Sechelt, by prying open a rear and interior door. At this time, it doesn’t appear anything was stolen.
Mischief
- Overnight on March 10, a suspect gained entry to a vehicle parked in the 5700 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, by dislodging a window and damaged the steering column in a failed attempt to steal the vehicle. Nothing was stolen from the vehicle.
- Between March 11 and 14, a suspect put burning paper inside an unlocked Canada Post community mailbox compartment. Fortunately, no mail appears to have been affected. Anyone with any information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2022-1788.
Found Property
- On March 14, an electronic reader device found in West Sechelt was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2022-1784.
