The purpose of the crime beat is to educate and inform the public about some of the property crime trends occurring in South Delta and other files of interest. It is submitted weekly by the Delta Police Department. If you see anything occurring that you believe to be suspicious, call 911 for in progress crimes and emergencies or 604-946-4411 for other assistance.
The following are some of the calls police responded to in the previous week:
Ladner
• Nov. 13, 5100-block Ladner Trunk Rd.: A business observed a customer buying $500 in Apple gift cards to provide payment to a “government agent” to receive a student grant. Recognizing this as a scam, the store called police and suspended the transaction. Police attended and were informed by the customer that he had been told on Facebook Messenger to send the gift cards to receive prize money by way of a government grant. The customer was provided with anti-fraud resources and educated about the current gift card scams.
• Nov. 14, DPD headquarters, 4455 Clarence Taylor Cres.: Complainant reported they were contacted by an HP technical support line to assist the complainant with their printer issues and was told to purchase $2,000 in Apple gift cards to pay for the service. When the complainant was asked to provide the serial numbers of the gift cards over the phone, they realized that this was a scam and reported the incident to the bank. The bank has frozen the complainant’s accounts and their computer has been professionally wiped. The incident is being reported to police to obtain a file number for the bank to continue their investigation.
• Nov. 15, 4600-block Clarence Taylor Cres.: Police received a report of a stolen bicycle from the leisure centre. The bicycle had been left locked in the bike rack at the front entrance. Police were provided with a full description of the bike, which they located parked outside another business. The complainant was notified to pick up the bike from police headquarters.
• Nov. 15, 72nd Street and Boundary Dyke Trail: Complainant reported their vehicle was broken into by an unknown male using a coat hanger. Two brand new purses valued at $185 were stolen from the trunk. The theft was captured on dash cam, which will be provided to police for possible identification of the suspect.
• Nov. 17, 5800-block 60th Ave.: During a roadblock, police conducted a check of a vehicle where the driver indicated they had consumed a drink several hours prior. The driver provided two breath samples, both of which read “fail.” As a result, they were given a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impoundment. The vehicle was towed from the scene and the driver left in a taxi.
• Nov. 18, 7500-block River Rd.: Complainant reported the theft of fuel from their truck sometime overnight. The complainant stated that the suspect had drilled a hole in the gas tank and drained it, causing $600 in damage. The complainant had checked with neighbouring businesses with negative results. Police provided the complainant with a file number and advised them to report the incident to ICBC.
• Nov. 19, 5200-block Ladner Trunk Rd.: Complainant reported they had parked their bicycle outside a business for about an hour, and when they returned the bike was gone. The bicycle is described as a Giant brand 10-speed downhill bike, with a coral colour along its frame. The business advised police that the exterior cameras were not operable. The complainant was advised to watch online for third party vendors attempting to sell the bike.
Tsawwassen and Tsawwassen First Nation
• Nov. 13, 5000-block Canoe Pass Way: A business reported two males and a female entered the store, selected five items of clothing valued at $362, and left without offering payment. The complainant indicated that mall security would be following the group until police arrived. Police attended and located the three suspects. One of the suspects readily admitted to stealing the goods and offered to pay for the merchandise. The business accepted the offer, and the three were released without charges as requested by the business. A one-year civil ban to the mall was issued to the suspects by the mall security.
• Nov. 14, DPD headquarters, 4455 Clarence Taylor Cres.: Complainant reported they had received an unsolicited job offer on their “Indeed” account, which they accepted. The complainant provided the unknown person with their personal information and copies of their passport and work visa. The suspect sent the complainant a cheque for $1,870, which they deposited, and then bought $1,000 in Apple gift cards and sent them via “WhatsApp” to the scammer. It was then determined that the cheque was fraudulent. The incident was reported to the bank. Police advised the complainant to report the incident to TransUnion, Equifax and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Information was sent to Apple Canada’s law enforcement portal for possible suspension of the cards.
• Nov. 16, 2400-block Rabbit Dr.: A report was received of the theft of tools valued at $1,200 from a construction site. Items stolen include a red-and-black Hilti saw, a red-and-black Hilti grinder, and two black Hilti battery packs. No witnesses or surveillance video available.
• Nov. 18, 1400-block 56th St.: The manager of an apartment block reported a break-and-enter to the building. A male and female used a tool to open the front door, then proceeded through the building to the first floor garage storage locker. They then used a cutting tool to enter the locker. The suspects did not take anything from the locker but continued to walk through the garage looking for items to take before fleeing on foot. Still photographs of the suspects were obtained and will be disseminated for possible identification.
• Nov. 19, 1200-block 56th St.: During a routine sobriety check, police stopped a vehicle where the driver admitted to having consumed alcohol an hour prior to the stop. The driver provided a breath sample, which read “fail,” but refused the right to provide a second sample. Consequently, the driver was given a 90-day immediate roadside prohibition and a 30-day vehicle impoundment. The vehicle was towed from the scene and the driver left by Uber.
RELATED: North Delta crime beat, week of Nov. 20
SEE ALSO: South Delta crime beat, week of Nov. 14
SEE ALSO: North Delta crime beat, week of Nov. 14