Oceanside RCMP are seeking the public’s help locating an elderly man purporting to be a police officer in Qualicum Beach.
Police reported that on April 17, shortly after midnight, they were called to downtown Qualicum Beach for reports of a suspicious man pretending to be a police officer.
A security guard was approached by an elderly male (white, between 75 and 80 years old) who had the word POLICE on his shirt.
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The man asked what the guard was doing in the area, was told security work, and then he quickly left the area. The suspect was also reported to have red-and-blue lights affixed to his vehicle, a dark-coloured SUV. Although it was clear to the security guard that the man was not a police officer, this incident is concerning to police and citizens alike. Despite extensive patrols, the man was not located and there have been no similar calls since.
Impersonating a police officer is a Criminal Code offence and using red-and-blue lights affixed to a non-police vehicle is also an offence under the Motor Vehicle Act.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident should call the Oceanside RCMP at 250-248-6111 or report anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers at 1-888-222-8477.
— NEWS Staff