Online scammers continue to victimize residents in the Parksville Qualicum Beach area.
On July 18, a resident reported being scammed out of $2,500 after responding to a spoofed text requesting an e-transfer to a relative. The same day, a resident reported being scammed out of $2,699 by a person posing as a bank employee, requesting an e-transfer.
The events were among 304 complaints received by Oceanside RCMP the week of July 15 to July 21. Some of the other incidents included:
On July 15, a Surface604 Shred e-bike was reported stolen in the 300 block of Island Highway West in Parksville. The same day in Qualicum Beach, a motorcycle and a vehicle were reported vandalized with a sharp object in the 500 block of Baylis Road. Also July 15, a building was reported vandalized with graffiti in the 100 block of Alberni Highway in Parksville.
On July 17, a gate and a fence were reported damaged by a vehicle in the 1000 block of Ravensbourne Lane in Qualicum Beach. The same day in Parksville, a security camera was reported stolen and damage to a railing noted in the 100 block of Hirst Avenue West.
A vehicle was reported vandalized with a mirror broken and damage to the front hood on Horne Lake Road in Qualicum Beach on July 18, the same day, garden tools, two wheelbarrow tires and two extension cords were reported stolen from the town's community garden in the 600 block of Beach Road.
In Parksville on July 19, a trespasser was reported dumpster-diving in the 300 block of Morison Avenue. The next day, Canada Post mailboxes were reported damaged by a vehicle on the corner of Lee Road in Parksville.
On July 21, an eight-foot Walker Bay dinghy, with grey pontoons, was reported stolen in the 2300 block of Higginson Road in Nanoose Bay. In Parksville, a vehicle was reported vandalized with damage to the side mirrors in the 100 block of Beachside Drive.
An Echo hedge trimmer was found near Fern Road in Qualicum Beach on July 18. Contact Oceanside RCMP during regular business hours to claim, quoting File 2024-6948.
— NEWS Staff
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, with public business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, except holidays.
