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PQB Crime report: Resident loses tens of thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency scam

Police also deal with break-ins, stolen vehicles
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(File photo)

Oceanside RCMP received 263 complaints the week of Jan. 1 to Jan. 7.

Some of the incidents included:

Jan. 1

• A business break-and-enter was reported in the 1200 block of Island Highway East, Parksville. Cash and a payment device were noted missing. A trespasser reportedly slept overnight on the premises.

Jan. 2

• A vehicle was reported lit on fire in the 4000 block of Alberni Highway, Qualicum Beach. The vehicle was confirmed to have been stolen from Port Alberni.

• Both BC plates MN186K were reported stolen from a vehicle in the 800 block of Mulholland Drive, Parksville.

Jan. 3

• A wallet was reported stolen from the lunch room of a business during regular hours in the 100 block of Craig Street, Parksville.

• An unattended bag containing tools was reported stolen from a maintenance worker in the 300 block of Island Highway East, Parksville.

• A daytime residential break-and-enter was reported in the 100 block of Jensen Avenue East, Parksville. Police escorted a squatter off site.

• An abandoned vehicle reported by a resident at Despard Avenue and Alberni Highway lead to the recovery of a stolen vehicle from Ladysmith.

• A residential break-and-enter was reported in the 200 block of Baylis Road, Qualicum Beach. Items in the home were disturbed and dog waste left behind.

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Jan. 4

• A business bicycle rack for patrons was reported stolen in the 200 block of Island Highway East, Parksville.

• Registration papers, keys and a jacket were some the items reported stolen from a vehicle in the 100 block of Hamilton Avenue, Parksville.

• A fob and massage tool were reported stolen from an unlocked vehicle in the 100 block of Weld Street, Parksville.

• Front BC plate PW9668 was reported stolen from a vehicle in the 1200 block of Fraser Road, Errington.

• A business break-and-enter was reported in the 200 block of Mills Street, Parksville. In addition to damage to the building, noted missing were a yellow tool box, computer monitor and a modem. A suspect was arrested in possession of some of the stolen property and was released to appear in court at a late date.

• A nighttime prowler was reported in the 400 block of Island Highway East, Parksville.

Jan. 6

• A nighttime prowler was reported in the 300 block of Blower Road, Parksville.

• A vehicle was reported rummaged through in the 1100 block of Resort Drive, Parksville. There were no signs of forced entry.

• A resident reported losing $51,000 in a cryptocurrency company fraud. The company pressured to invest more funds and then stopped communicating.

• A construction site break-and-enter was reported in the 100 block of Hirst Avenue East, Parksville. In addition to damage to fixtures some hand held construction tools and Adidas running shoes were reported missing.

• A business break-and-enter was reported in the 200 block of Mills Street, Parksville.

• A resident reported losing $26,000 in a bank investigator fraud. The fraudster convinced the resident to withdraw funds from an account and deposit to a cryptocurrency ATM and to purchase credit card gift cards.

• A resident reported a credit card fraud. It was suggested that the resident’s phone with their credit card information might have been hacked via a friend’s message app that in turn was hacked.

• A residential break-and-enter was reported in the 3600 block of Horne Lake Caves Road, Qualicum Beach. Resident reported that all electronics were missing.

Jan. 7

• A nighttime prowler was reported in the 600 block of Island Highway East, Parksville.

• A brown 2003 Ford F350, BC plates RV5869, was reported stolen in the 400 block of Morison Avenue, Parksville.

• A nighttime prowler was reported in the 100 block of Island highway East, Parksville. A suspect was found and removed from the private property.

If you see a crime in progress, call 911. Crimes of a less serious nature that are not in progress may be reported online. The Oceanside RCMP non-emergency number is 250-248-6111 (extension 7). The detachment is located at 421 Pym St. North, Parksville, with public business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays.

— NEWS Staff, submitted

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About the Author: Parksville Qualicum Beach News Staff

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