Crime report, Dec. 10-17:
Thieves remained busy in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area during the leadup to Christmas.
On Dec. 10. two culprits parked their vehicle at the end of Coombs Road in Coombs and removed tree boughs from the trees on Island Timberlands property after accessing the property with an ATV. The removal of the branches costs the company thousands of dollars a year as it strips the tree and the tree will have a hard time growing. Therefore, the timber does not grow to a harvestable size as fast. Both thieves were identified.
On Dec. 11, an employee reported a theft of liquor from the store located at 1400 block of Alberni Hwy, Parksville. Security video showed a male and female inside the store. The female was wearing black stretch pants and a blue quilted jacket with brown hair is seen in the security video taking a bottle of cognac off the shelf. She then placed it under her jacket and walked out of the store with a male.
Also Dec. 11, it was reported to Oceanside RCMP that a resident had received a text message that appeared to be from the Bank of Montreal stating that funds would be transferred into her account. The resident followed the steps which brought them to a website that appeared to be BMO site. She then entered her credit card info as well as social insurance number and driver’s licence. It was a scam.
On Dec. 12, an off-duty RCMP officer was at a business in the 2400 block of Collins Crescent in Nanoose Bay, when the officer overheard staff speaking with the only other customer in the store. Staff was asking the customer if they had driven there as the customer had been drinking. The customer exited the store and approached a white, full-sized van. The officer approached the vehicle as the customer was putting the keys into the ignition. The officer then opened the driver’s door and identified them self as an off-duty police officer and showed their badge. After a verbal reprimand and the creation of a police information file, the customer walked home, leaving their vehicle at the business.
On Dec. 13, an employee reported a break and enter to a business in the 1300 block of Island Hwy west, Parksville. A brick had apparently been thrown through front glass door. Entry gained and power tool area of store disturbed. Video captured two suspects enter the store at 3:34 a.m. Thousands of dollars in power tools were stolen.
On Dec. 14, it was reported that a residence located at in the 3100 block of Northwest Bay Road, Nanoose Bay had been broken into. Resident reported a TV, speakers, hand tools and food items were taken.
Also Dec. 14 staff from a business located in the 100 block of Island Hwy E, Parksville, reported to the Oceanside RCMP a theft in the store. A white male came into the store and stole a hair dryer. The male was captured on surveillance camera. The man was identified through video surveillance and charges have now been forwarded.
On Dec. 15, an alarm was reported at a business located in the 1200 block of Island Hwy E, Parksville. RCMP officers found that the glass side door was smashed. While on scene a garage behind the business appeared to have also have been broken into. Appears suspects attempted to burrow through the garage wall into business but gave up and resorted to smashing the glass.
On Dec. 16, an employee reported a break and enter into their business in the 100 block of Craig Street, Parksville. The employee attended the business to find the rear glass door broken. A sum of cash was found to be stolen. File is still under investigation.
On Dec. 17, a break and enter was reported into a business located in the 1200 block of Alberni Hwy, Parksville. The break in occurred sometime between Dec. 10-17. Intruders got into the break room, ate food, put a hot plate outside, stole seven vehicle batteries, took copper wire and removed a cordless Milwaukee grinder.
If you see a crime in progress, call 911. Of you have information regarding an incident, phone the Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number at 250-248-6111 during regular office hours. Outside of business hours phone 250-248-6111 extension 7, or phone Crime Stoppers at 248-TIPS.
