Some Parksville-area grinches apparently have no Christmas spirit.
Seven lightup reindeer were reported stolen on Nov. 29, from a business in the 1000 block of Resort Drive. The missing reindeer are approximately four feet long by three feet tall.
Overnight on Nov. 30, police responded to another report of a theft of a carousel horse with lights from the front lawn of a business in the 1100 block of Resort Drive.
The heists were among a variety of incidents that kept Oceanside RCMP busy during the week of Nov. 25 to Dec. 1:
On Nov. 25, a resident reported they located an excavator off of the Claymore Forest Service Road, Qualicum Beach. RCMP confirmed it was a stolen excavator via the VIN.
On Nov. 26, police received a report about a theft of cart, described as a heavy-duty, yellow metal cart, mesh sides, black handle and black wheels with hubcaps from the 600 block Qualicum Road, Qualicum Beach.
Also on Nov. 26, a school bus was stolen from the parking lot at 2300 block Alberni Highway, Coombs. The bus was recovered a short time later in Nanaimo and the thief was arrested.
On Nov. 29, an observant driver reported that a Nissan 350 with the driver-side headlight out was travelling south in the northbound lane on the Island Highway. Nanaimo RCMP were advised and located the vehicle in Nanaimo near Woodgrove Centre. The driver was suspected of being impaired and the passenger had an arrest warrant which was executed.
Also Nov. 29, police received a theft of fuel report from a commercial business on Valley Road, Parksville. All of the stationary equipment was checked and it was determined that approximately 100 litres of fuel had been syphoned.
On Nov. 30, Oceanside RCMP received a complaint that someone had stolen a 5x10 aluminum utility trailer from a business in the 1300 block Alberni Highway, Parksville.
On Dec. 1, Oceanside RCMP issued a violation ticket during a Light Up The Highway check stop on Inland Highway, Nanoose Bay. This was as a result of police detecting the odour of fresh marijuana inside the vehicle, and locating a baggie with approximately 20 grams inside the centre console of the vehicle. The cannabis was accessible to the driver/sole occupant, and was not purchased from a federally approved producer.
Also Dec. 1, during an impaired driving road check on Highway 19 near the Nanoose rest area, police stopped a vehicle and the driver showed signs of impairment by alcohol. After a roadside test yielded a fail, the vehicle was impounded and the driver served with a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition.
If you see a crime in progress, call 911. If you have information regarding an incident please phone the Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number at 250-248-6111. Outside of business hours phone 250-248-6111, extension 7, or phone Crime Stoppers at 248-TIPS.
— NEWS Staff