Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following from Dec. 3 to 10:
On Dec. 6, a Sunshine Coast resident reported falling for a phone scam after receiving a call early in the morning from someone purporting to be a police officer. The scammer told the resident that unless she paid off $2,000 in Google Play cards, her bank account would be frozen. The resident purchased the gift cards and gave the scammer the access codes. The scammer told her she’d need to pay another $1,000. The resident then realized she was being scammed. Unfortunately, as the access codes had already been given out, the resident is not going to be able to recover her costs. This type of scam is extremely common. To learn more about this and other popular scams and how to recognize 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.
Impaired Driving
• Early on Dec. 3, a possible impaired driver was reported in the 3100 block of Highway 101, Roberts Creek, after the suspect driver disobeyed volunteer Roberts Creek firefighters who were acting as flaggers at a collision scene. The suspect driver drove past a firefighter holding up a stop sign and then pulled a U-turn when he came within sight of emergency vehicle lights. The suspect vehicle was seen heading towards Sechelt, then was later found by a firefighter near Henderson Beach, Roberts Creek. The driver was noted to be exhibiting signs of possible intoxication by alcohol. Police attended and gave the driver a roadside alcohol screening test. After two warn results, the driver was issued a three-day immediate roadside prohibition. The matter has been referred to RoadSafetyBC.
• On Dec. 7, police initiated a traffic stop with a vehicle while conducting a roadblock on Highway 101 near Monkey Tree Lane, Sechelt. The suspect vehicle was witnessed driving erratically towards the police vehicles before coming to a stop. The driver, who was exhibiting signs of intoxication from alcohol, was given and failed a roadside alcohol screening test. She was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and her vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Theft/Mischief
• On Dec. 4, a theft from, and mischief to, a vehicle was reported in the 1600 block of Lower Road, Gibsons. The suspect stole four Moto Metal brand rims and four tires off a Ford pickup truck parked with a for sale sign on the side of the road. The rims are very distinctive – edged in a white rectangular pattern – and one of the tires was bald. The suspect also smashed a rear passenger side window but nothing appears to have been stolen from the interior. Anyone with any information is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-8266.
• On Dec. 9, a suspect stole nearly 300 feet of two-tone blue LED style Christmas lights from an outdoor display at a residence in the 6300 block of Norwest Bay Road, Sechelt. Anyone with any information about this theft is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-8403.
• Sometime between Nov. 22 and Dec. 6, a suspect or suspects stole two fuel tanks off a boat stored in the 8900 block of Redrooffs Road. The stolen tanks have a 25-litre capacity and both had Honda Quick Coupler fuel lines.
• On Dec. 5, a suspect stole a jacket from a business in the 900 block of Gibsons Way. The suspect, described as a Caucasian male in his mid-40s, about six feet tall with a medium build, was wearing a grey toque, black sweater, jeans and black shoes. The suspect is seen on security footage walking around the business, taking a jacket into the change room and leaving it there, then walking around again before getting the jacket again, ripping off the price tag and then leaving the store without paying. Police are attempting to identify the suspect. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2019-8330.
Hit and Run
• On the afternoon of Dec. 5, a hit and run occurred on Highway 101 near Orange Road, Roberts Creek, when the first vehicle stopped behind traffic that was held up due to road work, and was rear-ended by the second vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle pulled over to the side of the road to trade information with the second driver but the second driver fled the scene without stopping. The first driver was able to note the suspect vehicle’s licence plate number and police are investigating.
Collision
• Early on Dec. 7, police attended a single-vehicle incident in the 400 block of Harry Road, Gibsons, after the Gibsons Volunteer Fire Department came upon a vehicle in the ditch. The driver, who was not impaired, advised that he’d fallen asleep at the wheel and gone off road before colliding with a BC Hydro junction box. The collision destroyed the box, knocking out power to the nearby residences. The driver was given a violation ticket for failing to keep right and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
Found Property
• On Dec. 4, an adult-size bike found in the 5600 block of Trail Avenue, Sechelt, was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description, reference police file 2019-8269.
• On Dec. 9, an adult’s bike found in the 1000 block of North Road, Gibsons, was turned in. Owner may claim with detailed description within 90 days, reference police file 2019-8389.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
