Police say Parksville Qualicum Beach residents recently reported being scammed out of $23,000 by phone fraudsters.
On Oct. 9, a resident reported being scammed out of $11,000 afterresponding to a caller claiming to be from a financial institution. One day later, another resident reported being bilked out of $12,000 after responding to a caller and divulging their banking information in a cryptocurrency fraud.
During the two-week period from Sept. 30 to Oct. 13, Oceanside RCMP received 520 complaints. Some of the other incidents included:
On Sept. 30, a rock was reported thrown by a male at a vehicle in the area of Craig Street and Hirst Avenue East in Parksville. The same day, a yellow Dewalt radio was reported stolen from a camper in the 1000 block of Ascension Way in Parksville and a vehicle tire was reported slashed in the 200 block of Dunbar Way.
On Oct. 1, 14 sheets of plywood were reported stolen in the 500 block of Ackerman Road in Parksville. The next day in Qualicum Beach, dumpsters were reported vandalized with damage to the locks in the 600 block of Beach Road. Also in Qualicum Beach that day, electric bikes and a dirt bike was reported damaging the BMX track in the 300 block of Park Road West.
A community sign and a wooden neighbourhood sign were reported damaged on Qualicum Road and Village Way in Qualicum Beach on Oct. 3. The same day in Errington, three chainsaws, three skill saws and other woodcutting tools were reported stolen from a shed in the 1300 block of Errington Road. On Oct. 6 in Parksville, B.C. licence plate HP842G was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 600 block of Pioneer Crescent. The same day, the back windows of a vehicle were reported broken on Allsbrook Road. Two males were identified and agreed to restitution.
In Coombs, a backhoe and two trucks were reported to have had their tires flattened in the 2600 block of Alberni Highway on Oct. 6. The same day in Parksville, a residential break-and-enter was reported with cash and jewelry missing in the 500 block of Viking Way; and batteries were reported stolen from a mobile construction lights in the area of Island Highway East and Plummer Road.
Three males were reported trespassing at night in the 900 block of Church Road in Parksville, on Oct. 7. A male trespasser at night was reported in the 1700 block of Spirit Way in Qualicum Beach. On Oct. 8, a male trespasser was reported in the 100 block of Jensen Avenue East in Parksville.
Also Oct. 8, a blue Miele 15-speed hybrid bicycle was reported stolen in the area of Beach Road and First Avenue West in Qualicum Beach. In Parksville,a propane fire pit, propane tank and a wagon were reported stolen from a carport in the 700 block of Lilac Drive.
On Oct. 10 in Parksville, two trespassers were reported in the 100 block of Alberni Highway. In Qualicum Beach, a half set of dolly wheels (valued at $2,500), a recovery strap (valued at $200) and a snatch block (valued at $200) were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 3300 block of Island Highway West.
A vehicle was reported stolen in the 800 block of Shorewood Drive in Parksville, on Oct. 12. The vehicle was recovered by Nanaimo RCMP on Oct. 15. Another vehicle was reported stolen in the 300 block of Dogwood Street in Parksville on Oct 12 and recovered by Nanaimo RCMP on Oct. 16. Also Oct. 12, a manicure kit and garage door opener were reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 100 block of Island Highway East in Parksville.
On Oct. 13, a generator, a bicycle and a suitcase were reported stolen in the 200 block of Bagshaw Street in Parksville. The stolen property was all recovered the same day. In Qualicum Beach, a property gate was reported vandalized with approximately $5,000 damage in the 1700 block of Country Road.
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, in Parksville. Public business hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays.
