Mailbox Theft
Overnight on May 17, a suspect pried open the doors of community Canada Post mailboxes located at the corner of Oyster Bay Road and Garden Bay Road, and at Roosen Bay Road and Garden Bay Road, Garden Bay. The suspect targeted the parcel compartments and it is not known what exactly has been stolen at this point. Anyone with any information about these incidents is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-3143.
Community mailbox sites in Garden Bay were similarly hit in December 2020 in a rash of break-ins that included the Garden Bay sub-post office where about a dozen private boxes were forced open.
• Police remind the public to be wary of any kind of email notification from Canada Post or any courier company advising of a missed delivery, especially if they are not expecting anything. Many of these kinds of phishing emails look incredibly authentic and might even include links to the legitimate business websites. However, red flags will be spelling and grammatical errors, requests for personal or financial information, and prompts for any sort of payment. Another way to confirm if the delivery notice is real is to go to the proper website independently (do not use any links in the suspicious email) and try entering the provided tracking number.
Mischief
• On May 20, police responded to a suspicious occurrence report on a trail near Trout Lake, Halfmoon Bay, after a resident walking her dog came across a section of trail where someone strung up fishing line in a zig-zagging pattern. The resident was unharmed, but her dog got entangled in the line briefly before being extricated. The resident removed all the line from the trail and police did not locate any more in the area. Anyone with any information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-3209.
Impaired Driving
• On May 18, police witnessed a vehicle driving well over 20 kilometres above the posted speed limit southbound on Highway 101 near Tita Way, Sechelt. Police initiated a traffic stop and spoke with the driver who was exhibiting obvious signs of intoxication from alcohol. The driver, who denied consuming any alcohol that day, 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 May 22, police witnessed a known unlicensed driver on Highway 101 near Egmont Road, Egmont, and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was confirmed to have an invalid driver’s licence and was also exhibiting signs of possible intoxication from alcohol. The driver was given a roadside alcohol screening test and after two warn readings, the driver was issued a three-day immediate roadside prohibition along with a vehicle impoundment for three days and a violation ticket for no driver’s licence. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On May 24, a witness reported a possible impaired driver westbound on Highway 101 near Whitaker Road, Davis Bay, after the vehicle was seen swerving in its lane and crossing the double solid lines multiple times. Police located the driver and vehicle near Tita Way and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was exhibiting obvious signs of impairment but a roadside alcohol screening test confirmed the driver had not consumed alcohol recently. The driver admitted he had taken some prescription medication and based on his reactions, was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition and served a violation ticket for crossing a double solid line. The vehicle was impounded for 24 hours and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On May 23, a possible impaired driver was reported slumped behind the wheel of a vehicle parked near the intersection of Highway 101 and McCullough Road, Sechelt. Police located the suspect driver and initiated a traffic stop. Police noted drug paraphernalia inside the cab and managed to rouse the driver who was exhibiting obvious signs of impairment. The driver became argumentative and fled the scene on foot. Police located the suspect and arrested the male for obstructing a peace officer. The male, who admitted to using drugs prior to the incident, was also issued a 24-hour driving prohibition for drugs, a 24-hour vehicle impoundment, a violation ticket for no driver’s licence, and an undertaking for court. The file is still under investigation.
Theft
• Overnight on May 17, a suspect stole a propane-powered fire pit from outside a business in the 5700 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt. The stolen fire pit is described as beige in colour, and has a rounded pot shape. The concrete and fibreglass unit has a chipped and damaged bottom edge and contains faux-firewood. Anyone with any information is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-3190.
• On May 20, a theft was reported at a business in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons, after the suspect placed an item in his grey and black backpack and left the premises without paying for it. The suspect, who was captured on surveillance video, is described as a Caucasian male in his forties with light brown hair in a ponytail, about six feet tall, wearing a black ball cap, black track pants, and a grey zip-up hoodie with a Canadian flag and the number 67 on the front. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2021-3229.
• On May 24, a suspect stole a grey Apple MacBook Air 13 laptop computer that had been left unattended briefly on a table at the beach in downtown Sechelt. The laptop was tracked to the forested area near Windward Lane and Ocean Avenue, Sechelt, but has not been located. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file number 2021-3320.
Prohibited Driver
• On May 20, police witnessed a known prohibited driver driving in downtown Sechelt and initiated a traffic stop. The driver was arrested for driving while suspended and released on an appearance notice for court. The driver was also issued a violation ticket for having no insurance and his vehicle was impounded. The file is still under investigation.
Found Property
• On May 19, a cellphone found on a Sunshine Coast BC Transit bus was turned in. Owner may claim with detailed description within 90 days. Please reference police file 2021-3195.
