Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for May 24 to 31:
On May 26, a Sechelt resident called from her vehicle to report an aggressive raccoon was blocking the front entrance of her house. The resident reported that despite attempts to shoo it away, the raccoon showed no fear of humans and refused to leave the area. The resident called back shortly after the initial complaint to advise the raccoon eventually left on its own accord, allowing the resident to enter her house safely.
Attempted Break and Enter
• On May 26 at approximately 3 a.m., suspects attempted to gain access to a residence in the 600 block of Franklin Road, Gibsons. The sleeping resident was wakened by prying noises at the front and back doors and turned on the lights, which scared the suspects off before they had gained entry. The suspects caused some minor damage to the doors, but otherwise no further damage or theft was reported. Police ask that anyone with surveillance cameras that may have captured the street in this area to call the RCMP at 604-884-2266.
Mischief
• On May 27, police attended a mischief complaint in the 5600 block of Wharf Avenue, Sechelt, after a suspect was witnessed kicking a parked vehicle. The suspect, who caused minor damage to the vehicle, was described as a 30-something Caucasian male with dark short tight curly hair, of average height and heavy build, wearing a blackish grey plaid lumber jacket and carrying a small dog. Police have identified the suspect and the file is still under investigation.
Found Property
• On May 28, a cell phone found in a Sechelt park was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2020-3361.
• On May 29, a cell phone that had been found on a local transit bus was turned in. Owner may claim with detailed description within 90 days. Please reference police file 2020-3390.
Traffic Incident
• On May 28, a police responded to a report of a vehicle in the 16400 block of Highway 101, Egmont, that pulled out in front of an ambulance that had its lights and sirens on, and refused to yield, blocking the patient-carrying ambulance from travelling unimpeded. Police remind motorists it is the law to yield for active emergency services vehicles. The file is still under investigation. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-3365.
Hit and Run
• On May 29, between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., a suspect in a vehicle crashed into a gate at a business in the 1100 block of Stewart Road, Gibsons, destroying it in the process. The suspect fled the scene without leaving the business owner any information. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-3400.
Theft
• Between May 23 and 25, a suspect stole a number of pieces of lumber from a site in the 13200 block of Kammerle Road, Irvines Landing. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-3471.
• Overnight on June 1, a suspect stole a bike from a residence in the 1500 block of Cypress Way, Gibsons. The stolen bike is described as a black and blue Norco Storm mountain bike in very good condition. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-3479.
Break and Enter
• Between May 12 and 27, a suspect gained entry to a storage room in the 5700 block of Mermaid Street, Sechelt, and stole a number of items including a rolling grey rectangular garbage bin (similar to a recycling bin), two hose nozzles, and an unmarked white collapsible festival tent. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-3389.
Impaired Driving
• Late on May 28, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 5500 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, after a vehicle went up onto a median and came to a rest up against a sign pole. Police noted empty alcohol containers inside the vehicle and the driver exhibiting signs of intoxication. The driver was arrested and taken to the detachment where breath samples confirmed the driver was impaired by alcohol. The driver was issued an appearance notice for court and issued an administrative driving prohibition. The file is still under investigation.
• On May 31, a possible impaired driver was reported in the 6400 block of Norwest Bay Road, Sechelt. Police located the suspect driver shortly afterward and initiated a traffic stop. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of possible impairment by alcohol, was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test. He was issued a 90-day Immediate Roadside Prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
Scam
• On May 29, a Coast resident received a call from a scammer purporting to be a police officer. The scammer told the resident that someone had her social insurance number and was using it fraudulently. The scammer asked and received the resident’s financial account information and told her to go to her bank and withdraw all her funds. Fortunately, the resident’s bank was closed so she did not comply. However, the scammer did tell the resident that in order to prove her identity to him, she had to send photos of herself and her social insurance number card. The scammer, in an effort to further convince the resident he was legitimate, told her that a police officer would also be attending her residence later that day and gave her the actual phone number for the Sunshine Coast RCMP for her reference. When the resident did not receive any follow-up visits or calls, she realized she had not been speaking to an actual police officer. Please note that the police will never cold call anyone with requests for banking information, payment options, or requests for photographs to prove your identity. To learn more about common scams and how to recognize and protect yourself from them, 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 your friends and family.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
