This isn’t a music-related post. I recently spent some time on the Sunshine Coast of BC, where I found these gems of small town reportage from the Coast Reporter newspaper. I hope you enjoy them.
Traffic
• On June 19, a hit and run occurred on Veterans Road at Highway 101, after the first vehicle reversed and collided into the front bumper of a second vehicle. The driver of the first vehicle, described as a balding older male with short brown hair, did not stop or get out to inspect for damage and was last seen eastbound on Highway 101. The suspect vehicle, described as a 1980s to 1990s model lifted black Ford Ranger with a black canopy, had a plate number with a 59 or 69 in it. A witness corroborated the first driver’s account.
• On June 19, police came upon a two-vehicle incident at the top of Rat Portage Hill in Roberts Creek where the first vehicle had rear-ended the second. From independent witness accounts, it appears the collision was a result of a road rage incident that started in the merge lane on Highway 101 at Chelpi Avenue, Sechelt, and that both vehicles engaged in aggressive driving, slamming of brakes and passing one another until the collision. Both drivers were issued violation tickets for driving without consideration and the rear-ended vehicle was towed from the scene. The matter has been referred to ICBC.
• Police at a road check on June 21 stopped a vehicle with a driver exhibiting signs of intoxication. The driver was given and failed two roadside alcohol screening tests and was issued a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and his vehicle was impounded for 30 days.
Theft
• Overnight on June 19, a thief gained entry to several unlocked vehicles parked in the 300 block of Cochrane Road and one in the 1100 block of Rosamund Road, Gibsons, and rummaged through the interiors. The thief took loonies and toonies that had been left in the consoles of two vehicles, all the cash from a wallet left in a third, and loose change and a USB cable left in a fourth. Anyone with any information about these thefts is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 2015-3954.
• On June 20, staff at a business in the 5500 block of Highway 101, Sechelt, witnessed a thief exit the store with a bag full of unpaid items. Staff followed the suspect out of the business and managed to recover the stolen items while the suspect fled into the bushes. Police located and arrested the suspect later and the file is still under investigation.
• On June 20, a business in the 5500 block of Highway 101 reported a shoplifter had stolen a couple of items and was caught on surveillance video footage. Police were able to identify the suspect and while the business is not interested in pressing charges, the suspect will be banned from the premises.
• On June 21, a thief was caught on security camera stealing clothing and a paper lantern by concealing them under her clothing and leaving the store without paying for the items. While police were reviewing the video footage, a staff member advised that the suspect was at another business nearby. Police located the suspect and arrested her for theft under $5,000. The suspect was released on a promise to appear in court.
Mischief
• Overnight on June 22, two community mailboxes were damaged in the 4900 block of Garden Bay Road, Garden Bay. Numerous tire burnout tracks were found on the highway adjacent to the mailboxes and the significant dents to the mailbox appear to have been caused by a vehicle. Anyone with any information about this mischief, or other recent burnouts, is asked to contact RCMP, reference file 15-4044.
Aah, small town life.