Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for June 18 to 25:
• Overnight on June 18, a suspect stole eight gnomes and statues from a garden in the 5600 block of Surf Circle, Sechelt. The missing items are described as three traditional gnomes in various gardening poses, three solar dogs, a bare-bottomed gnome, and a solid stone gnome. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-3807.
• On the afternoon of June 19, a suspect entered a business in the 5600 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, through an open rear door and stole a set of keys. The suspect then used the keys to gain entry to a vehicle parked behind the building. The suspect rummaged through the vehicle and stole several small hand tools and some change from inside. Police are reviewing security video footage and the file is still under investigation. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-3852.
• On June 22, a theft was reported at a business in the 4300 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after a suspect was witnessed taking an item and walking out of the store without paying for it. Staff followed the suspect and were able to recover the bulky item, but the suspect left on foot before police arrived. Police are reviewing security video footage in an attempt to identify the suspect who is described as a 40-something Caucasian female with a slim build wearing a grey hoody, long blue basketball jersey and dark short. The file is still under investigation.
Attempted Break and Enter
• On June 19, a witness reported a suspicious male who appeared to be trying to break into a Sea-Can storage unit behind a business in the 5800 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt. Police located the suspect nearby and determined he was already on conditions to not be anywhere near that business due to a previous offence. The suspect, who had not succeeded in gaining entry into the Sea-Can, was arrested for breach of recognizance. The file is still under investigation.
Traffic Incidents
• On June 18, police attended a two-vehicle incident involving a car and a flatbed truck at the intersection of Gibsons Way and North Road, Gibsons. The car driver advised that she had been attempting a left turn onto North Road at the same time that the truck in front of her was attempting a left turn. The truck was straddling the advance turn line in order to safely make the left turn, but the car driver appeared unaware of what the truck was doing, continued making her left turn and collided into the truck as it attempted to complete its turn. A witness confirmed that the car driver did not stop to allow the truck to complete its turn first. No injuries were reported but the car sustained damage and had to be towed from the scene. The car driver was issued a violation ticket for passing on left unsafely. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On June 24, police attended a two-vehicle incident on Highway 101 and Norwest Bay Road, Sechelt, after the first vehicle came to a stop for a red light and the second vehicle failed to stop in time and rear-ended the first vehicle. Fortunately, no life-threatening injuries were reported and only the second vehicle had to be towed due to damage. The second vehicle driver admitted he fell asleep at the wheel and was issued a violation ticket for driving without due care. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
Fraud
• On June 18, a Coast resident reported falling for a popular scam after receiving an email purportedly from “Apple Care” advising her to phone the number provided as there was an issue with her computer. The resident spoke with someone who convinced her to allow them remote access to her computer to supposedly fix the problem and then discovered that the scammer had used PayPal to transfer a large sum of money out of her bank account. The resident has contacted PayPal and her bank in an attempt to reverse the transaction, but it is unlikely that the resident’s money will be returned. The resident was advised to have a local professional check her computer for any viruses and report the financial breach to Transunion and Equifax. To learn more about this and other common scams, please visit sites such as the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org. Please share this information with friends and family.
Found Property
• On June 18, an iPhone found on the sidewalk in the 200 block of Gower Point Road, Gibsons, was turned in. The phone was in a distinctive case. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2019-3812.
• On June 18, a purse found near a business in the 5600 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2019-3821.
• On June 21, Sunshine Coast Transit turned in hearing aids that had been found on a local bus earlier in the month. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2019-3898.
• On June 24, a piece of climbing equipment was found in the 5600 block of Inlet Avenue, Sechelt. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2019-3965.
– Sunshine Coast RCMP