Sunshine Coast RCMP reported the following for Sept. 14 to 21:
On Sept. 17, a Sunshine Coast resident who found a military marine marker on the beach several weeks ago, brought the marker to the RCMP office, causing a temporary closure of the office until the marker could be safely dealt with. The marker, which has instructions on it to contact police or military if found, is considered a potential explosive and should not be handled if found. Rather, anyone coming across anything of this nature should note the location and advise police or military to arrange its retrieval.
Speed
• On Sept. 15, police attempted a traffic stop with a vehicle in the 5900 block of Cowrie Street, Sechelt, after the vehicle appeared to be trying to avoid police. The suspect vehicle initially pulled over but then suddenly drove off at a high rate of speed through a school zone. Police located the vehicle and registered owner who was issued a violation ticket for failing to stop for police and excessive speed in a school zone. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
Attempted Theft
• On Sept. 16 at around 3:30 a.m., a resident in the 1100 block of Chaster Road, Gibsons, heard an unknown person rummaging through items in the resident’s truck bed. The resident yelled at the male who fled the scene on foot. Police made patrols but were unable to locate the suspect. Nothing was reported stolen or damaged, but police remind the public to remove any valuables from their vehicles to deter opportunistic thieves.
Collision
• On Sept. 16, police attended a three-vehicle incident in the 4700 block of Highway 101, Sechelt. The first vehicle driver was unable to stop in time and tried to squeeze past the second car stopped in front of him and a third vehicle parked on the side of the road. The first vehicle, which lost a tire in the process, as well as the second vehicle, had to be towed, but the third vehicle sustained only minor damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported and the matter has been referred to ICBC.
Mailbox Mischief
• On Sept. 18, Canada Post staff reported that a suspect had damaged community mailboxes located on Farnham Road near Gibsons Way, Gibsons. The suspect damaged the lock and safety bar, which resulted in staff being unable to open the large access door to deliver mail. Anyone with any information about this mischief is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-6639.
Found Property
• On Sept. 17, a phone found in Gibsons was turned in. Owner may claim within 90 days with detailed description. Please reference police file 2020-6614.
Mischief to Vehicle
• Overnight on Sept. 17, a suspect smashed out a window on a car parked in the 800 block of Gibsons Way, Gibsons. Police are reviewing surveillance video from the area.
Scam
• On Sept. 18, a Coast resident reported falling victim to a popular scam after receiving an email that appeared to come from a friend. The email asked the resident to purchase gift cards on the supposed friend’s behalf and send them the activation codes. The resident did as the email instructed and then realized the friend’s email account had been hacked a few days earlier and that she had missed a message advising everyone on her friend’s contact list of the breach. It is unlikely the resident will be able to recoup her money. To learn more about this and other common scams and how to protect yourself from falling for 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.
Theft of Liquor
• On Sept. 20, police attended a theft at a business in the 1100 block of Highway 101, Gibsons, after staff witnessed the suspect attempt to conceal an unpaid for item in her bag. Staff confronted the suspect and were able to recover the item but a review of security camera video revealed the suspect had stolen a smaller item as well. Police are attempting to identify the subject and the file is still under investigation.
Mischief to Surveillance Camera
• On Sept. 20 at around 3 p.m., a suspect was witnessed damaging a security camera on a building in the 5500 block of Inlet Avenue, Sechelt. The suspect, described as a bald male wearing a camo jacket, was using a pole with a hook on it to try to bring the camera down. The suspect fled before he was successful; police are reviewing security camera footage and the file is still under investigation. Anyone with any information about this incident is asked to contact RCMP, reference police file 2020-6711.
– Const. Karen Whitby, Sunshine Coast RCMP
