Parksville Qualicum Beach residents continue to be victimized by online scammers.
Last month, a resident reported scammed out of $8,000, responding to an online work-from-home scheme purportedly boosting online traffic with payments in crypto currency. Another resident reported losing $540 while selling online, when the purported purchaser sent an email asking to click 'confirm to pay' for an e-transfer where instead funds were withdrawn from the victim's account. On Feb. 12, a third resident reported being scammed out of $600, responding to an email supposedly from a neighbour to buy gift cards.
Between Feb. 10 and Feb. 23, Oceanside RCMP received 501 property crime-related complaints. Some of the other incidents included:
On Feb. 10, Alberta licence plate TAW488 was reported stolen from a vehicle at the marina in the 1000 block of Lee Road in Parksville. The plate was later recovered attached to a stolen vehicle. The next day, a1990 grey colour GMC 3500 pickup, B.C. plate WN7035, was reported stolen in the 900 block of Fairdowne Road in Parksville.
On Feb. 12, both B.C. licence plates VM5485 were reported stolen form a vehicle in the 2600 block of Palmer Road in Qualicum Beach, The same day in the town, a Block Watch sign and post were reported stolen in the 1300 block of Pratt Road. In Parksville, an enclosed construction trailer was reported stolen in the 500 block Dalmatian Drive. The trailer wa recovered the next day with some materials missing.
On Feb. 13, change, a flashlight and Samsung tablet were a few of the items reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 600 block of Chinook Avenue in Parksville. A suspect was apprehended nearby and stolen items returned. The next day, a vehicle was reported damaged with scrapes along the driver’s side in a parking lot in the 100 block of Alberni Highway in Parksville.
A green Giant Talon bicycle was reported stolen in the 300 block of Island Highway West in Parksville on Feb. 16. The next day, several railings were reported stolen from a yard in the 1200 block of Industrial Way in Parksville. On Feb. 18, a 15 HP Evinrude boat motor, lawn mower and pressure washer were some of the items reported stolen from four storage sea cans located in the 3500 block of Dolphin Drive in Nanoose Bay. A Generac 10kw generator was reported stolen from a conservation society site in the 3500 block of Island Highway West in Qualicum Beach after achained front gate was cut to gain access.
Also Feb. 18, refundable containers were reported stolen from a charity donation bin in the 600 block of Alberni Highway in Parksville. The next day, a residential break-end-enter was reported with two Samsung TVs and numerous other items missing in the 200 block of Seacroft Road in Qualicum Beach.
A stop sign was reported damaged at the intersection of Gibbs Road and Bowlby Road in Coombs on Feb. 19. The same day, a vehicle was reported hit with an empty beer can at the intersection of Pym Street and Forsyth Avenue in Parksville.
On Feb. 20, a vehicle was reported vandalized with damage to the driver’s door and ignition in the 1000 block of Lee Road East in Parksville. The same day, a residence was reported vandalized by being egged in the 900 block of Savary Drive in Qualicum Beach; and a vehicle window was reported broken by a rock in the 300 block of Island highway West in Parksville.
On Feb. 21, 24 one and 7/8-inch black power coated fence posts were reported stolen from a property in the 1300 block of Alberni Highway in Parksville; and two six-volt batteries were reported stolen with damage noted to the travel trailer in the 600 block of Maple Street in Qualicum Beach.
On Feb. 23, a vehicle was reported vandalized with damage to door locks and ignition in the 1000 block of Lee Road East in Parksville.
If you see a crime in progress phone 911. The Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number is 250-248-6111 and the detachment is located at 421 Pym Street North, Parksville, with public business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays.
