Electrical malfunction is believed to have likely caused a vehicle fire last weekend on Pentland Road.
The Oak Bay police and fire departments were called around 1 a.m. on Feb. 21 to find a 2003 Ford Escape engulfed in flames. Oak Bay Fire put the blaze out and police spoke with the vehicle’s owner who said the alarm had gone off just five minutes prior to the fire.
The owner had gone outside, physically checked the vehicle and determined there was no problem. Five minutes later the vehicle was a write-off. Initial investigation by the OBFD points to an electrical malfunction as the likely cause of the fire.
Oak Bay hotel left with big bill
An Edmonton man was held in custody after refusing to pay a $1,600 bill at Oak Bay Beach Hotel.
Police were called Feb. 21 around 8:30 p.m. after hotel staff detained a 37-year-old Edmonton man who assured the hotel that his expenses were to be picked up by a government agency.
Staff stopped him when the man was observed leaving the hotel with his bags and still no arrangement for payment had been received. Police found the man pulled similar scams in Alberta and other hotels in Victoria.
Golf course targeted
Police are investigating an attempted break-in at Victoria Golf Course Feb. 20 after an employee arrived around 4 a.m. to see a male on a BMX leaving the maintenance area.
An attempt had been made to pry the door to an office open, but entry was not gained. Immediate patrols didn’t turn up a suspect, who was described as wearing a puffy, camouflage jacket and a small, round, black helmet.
Residential break-ins abound
Oak Bay Police remind residents to provide timely information, no matter how minor, after a report of a break-in attempt at a Hampshire Road home.
On Feb. 18 a resident of the 2000 block reported an attempt to get into his home the previous day. The man said when he returned home his deadbolt came apart in pieces as he inserted his key. A locksmith was called and the deadbolt replaced. No entry to the home was gained.
Sometime overnight, discovered Feb. 20, a shed was broken into on Satellite Street and an expensive Cannondale racing bicycle was stolen.
The locking latch of the shed, which was on private property close to the beach, had been pried off. The bicycle is described as red with yellow lettering. There is black and yellow tape on the handlebars.
That same day, residents in the 1800 block of Bowker Place returned home after a 24-hour absence to find that their home had been broken into. The thief or thieves broke a small window to get into the house. A small amount of jewelry was stolen. Forensic identification was called to the scene.
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com
