Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Dec. 17 to Jan. 5:
On Jan. 4, a group of quilters at a facility in the 5600 block of Trail Avenue, Sechelt, reported a suspicious male had entered the building, yelled at the group and then attempted to steal a set of car keys off a table. He then tried to flee the scene but was detained by several members of the group until he released the keys. The suspect then ran off but was later located nearby at Hackett Park. The suspect, who is known to police, was arrested for theft under $5,000. The file is still under investigation.
Scams
• On Jan. 2, a Coast resident reported a possible scam after receiving a phone call from someone purporting to be her son. The scammer told the resident he was in jail and that his lawyer needed a large amount of money transferred to an account for bail. The resident withdrew the requested amount but fortunately reported to police the suspicious nature of the calls she’d received from the “son” and the “lawyer” before actually sending the monies.
• On Jan. 3, a Coast resident reported falling victim to an online fraud after responding to an advertisement for puppies for sale. The resident communicated with the “seller” to purchase a puppy and sent money to pay for the puppy’s transportation from the U.S. The resident then started to get suspicious and found another victim online who had been defrauded by the same scammer. The resident tried to contact the bogus seller but received no further responses. This is a common type of scam and unfortunately, it is unlikely the resident will recover the funds she’d already sent.
Pedestrian Hit
• On Dec. 19 around 5 p.m. in the 5600 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, a pedestrian in the crosswalk was struck by a slow-moving vehicle. The driver remained on the scene and was completely cooperative. Witnesses stated that the vehicle failed to stop at the stop sign before hitting the pedestrian, who was taken to Sechelt Hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The matter is still under investigation.
Hit and Run
• On Jan. 2 at around 3 p.m., a hit and run was reported behind a business in the 5500 block of Inlet Avenue, Sechelt, after a witness observed a white Ford Ranger hit a utility support pole, damaging the guide wires and causing the pole to lean over. The driver, described as a Caucasian female with long black hair, stopped and checked the damage to the vehicle but then left the area. As the witness was able to note the licence plate, police will be following up with the registered owner. The file is still under investigation.
Mischief
• At around 3 a.m. on Jan. 3, a suspect smashed windows of two vehicles parked at a residence in the 1500 block of Henderson Road, Roberts Creek. The suspect, who was caught on surveillance video, is described as a male in a hooded sweatshirt. No other damage or theft was reported.
Theft/Mischief
• Around 2:45 a.m. on Jan. 4, two male youths were caught on surveillance video breaking the glass cases holding fire extinguishers and stealing the extinguishers at a gas station in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons. This was the second such theft in the past few weeks. The two stolen fire extinguishers were located, completely discharged, at Sunnycrest Mall nearby. Police are still attempting to identify the pair, believed to be between 10 and 15 years old, all dressed in black, with one youth being taller than the other. Anyone with any information about this mischief and theft incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-84.
Collision
• On Jan. 4, police attended a two-vehicle incident on Highway 101 at Madeira Park Road, Madeira Park, after a vehicle made a left turn off the highway onto Madeira Park Road and struck the second vehicle, which was heading south. Both vehicles sustained moderate to severe front-end damage and had to be towed from the scene. Neither driver reported any serious injuries. The driver of the first vehicle, who was exhibiting signs of possible impairment from alcohol, was given a roadside alcohol screening test. Based on the results, the driver was issued a 24-hour driving prohibition. The file is still under investigation.
• On Dec. 17, police attended a two-vehicle incident in the 8600 block of Highway 101, Halfmoon Bay, after a witness reported a possible impaired driver heading east who had crossed the centre line and brushed against the driver’s side of a westbound vehicle. Both vehicle drivers and the witness remained on scene until police arrived. No injuries were reported and vehicle damage was minimal. The eastbound driver, who was found not impaired by alcohol or drugs, advised that she was very tired and had fallen asleep behind the wheel. The driver was advised to get some sleep before continuing on with her travels and issued a violation ticket for crossing a solid double line. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• On Dec. 17, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 800 block of Henry Road near Reed Road, Gibsons. A lone occupant and a dog were located inside the rolled-over vehicle in the ditch. The dog was extracted from the vehicle and taken to the local SPCA for safekeeping. The conscious occupant, who was exhibiting signs of intoxication from alcohol, complained of back injuries and was taken to Sechelt Hospital then airlifted to Vancouver General Hospital. The file is still under investigation.
Grocery Thief
• On Jan. 5, staff at a business in the 1100 block of Highway 101, Gibsons, reported a theft after finding an empty shopping basket in an aisle. Staff reviewed security video footage, which captured a male suspect taking several items, concealing them in his coat, and then leaving the premises without paying for them. Staff identified the suspect and police are attempting to locate him. The file is still under investigation.
Shoplifting
• On Dec. 19, a theft was reported at a business in the 900 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons, after a suspect was witnessed by staff leaving the premises with unpaid for merchandise. The male suspect was captured on security video and police are attempting to identify him.
Theft
On Dec. 17 at around 9 a.m., a suspect stole a large red and black Roots backpack out of an unsecured vehicle parked at a business in the 5600 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt. The backpack contained a MacBook Air laptop computer with a back cover.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
