FEATURED CRIMES

Saanich Police would like to warn everyone that there has been a recent rash of vehicle break-ins in municipal parks.

Please ensure that you target-harden your vehicle, by removing ALL items from view and ensuring that your doors are locked.

Most stolen items from vehicles

Remember that what’s in your vehicle is also at risk. According to police reports, these items are the most popular:

1. Smartphones

2. Personal electronics—tablets, laptops, iPods, GPS

3. Work tools

4. Credit cards and identification

5. Stereo equipment

6. Cash and change

7. Car parts and accessories

8. Garage door openers

9. Sunglasses

10. Keys

For more tips on how to prevent theft from auto, please visit: https://icbc.com/road-safety/prevent-autocrime

If you know someone who is stealing from vehicles and you want to tell us their name anonymously, please click the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above or call 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Oak Bay Police are looking for the publics assistance in solving an Attempted Child-Abduction.

On November 5^th at 3:04pm a 12-year-old female was walking home from school and was approached by an unknown male in a vehicle. The male asked her name and kept following her in his vehicle. The male “stated “I have candy, I’ll take you home”. The victim did not engage with the male and fled back to her school.

The suspect is described as male, olive complexion, 50-60 years of age, oval face, greying brown spiked hair, tattoos on neck and arms, short sleeve blackish green shirt, black jeans with a belt and he wore a chunky gold ring on his right hand. His vehicle was an older model dark green convertible with an off-white fabric top.

If you have any information on who this suspect is and you want to remain anonymous, please call 1-800-222-8477.  You may also submit a tip by clicking the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.

Sooke RCMP are appealing for information relating to a file they are currently investigating.

At about 7.15pm on October 29^th a house in the 2500 block of Farmer Drive had shots fired at it. This resulted in one shot going through the houses living room window. Thankfully nobody was injured but the resident was left shaken by the incident.

If you know who was responsible for the shooting you can tell us anonymously by calling 1-800-1222-8477, or submit a tip online by clicking the tip submit button.

We can pass along your information and you will always remain anonymous.

Saanich Police Financial Crimes Section are warning about an increase in cryptocurrency frauds being reported in Saanich, resulting in the loss of over a million dollars. A handful of files investigated since mid-July have seen a total combined loss for these victims reach $1.4 million.

Some of the files being investigated originate with a fake investor contacting their victims via online messaging platforms such as WhatsApp or WeChat. Instructions are provided on how they can quickly make money investing, and eventually convince the victim to move money into a cryptocurrency trading platform. When the fraudster shows them that the money has quickly grown, they ask for more money, and the trend continues.

It is important for people to understand that once they move money into cryptocurrency, it cannot be retrieved. These files can be difficult for police to investigate as they often involve multiple layers of fraud and tracking the origins of the fraudster usually points to overseas.

How can you protect yourself, friends and loved ones from these scams?

• Do your own research before investing any money, anywhere:

– Check out legitimate websites for information/warnings, including the BC Securities Commission and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

– Web search the investment platform and read reviews to the platforms/website (fake ones can be very convincing).

– Ask your local bank, investor, financial planner about it

– Ask trusted friends and family

• Be suspicious of anyone giving you financial advice who you don’t know personally, face to face
• Check the credentials of any financial investor you take advice from BEFORE investing your money.
• Take your time and do your due diligence before giving anyone money.

“The significance and sophistication of these types of scams are evolving and are larger than ever. Please protect your assets and sensitive personal information.”

Many of these scams have targeted members of our Asian community is Saanich. For current information that is also translated, we encourage visiting the Anti-Deception Coordination Centre website.

Victims are encouraged to contact the Police to file a report. Additional resources can be found at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, BC Securities Commission, Equifax Canada and Transunion.

Anyone with information is asked to call Saanich Police non-emergency line at 250-475-4321. Alternatively, they can report information anonymously to the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Hey Greater Victoria & Airbnb Owners

We are putting this out to warn you about a recent VicPD file where these 2 suspects rented a local Airbnb and stole 2 high end bikes belonging to the owners, after using the key fobs to gain access to their storage lockers.

Sadly, for these two suspects, we can share their pictures with you all so we can identify them and have them arrested.

If you are an Airbnb owner, please ensure that the renters only have access to what they need and if you have key fobs, please disallow access to things such as storage lockers.

If you know who either of these suspects are and you want to tell us their names anonymously, please click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above, or call 1-800-222-8477.

VI 21-40772

Saanich Police are asking for your assistance in identifying this male who on September 19^th, walked over and smashed the window of a vehicle while it was stopped at a red light on Gorge Road West.

The suspect is described as a white male, about 25-30 years of age, wearing a black hoodie, maroon backpack and carrying a skateboard.

If you recognize him and you want to tell us his name anonymously, please call 1-800-222-8477, or click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.

VicPD Detectives with the Major Crimes Unit are asking for a witness to come forward after a Victoria Police Department Patrol officer was violently attacked in Banfield Park on Friday 3^rd September just before 11.30pm.

The Patrol officer was on foot in the area of Banfield Park to check on a woman in distress.

At some point during or after that interaction the officer was violently attacked by an unknown suspect, who is described as a 40 to 50-year-old Caucasian man wearing a blue hooded sweater with white draw strings.

The officer broadcast for assistance over the radio and several additional officers deployed to the area. However, the suspect was not located.

Investigators are asking the unknown woman to come forward and speak with police, as she is believed to be a witness to this incident. She is described as an approximately 50-year-old Caucasian woman with grey hair, who appeared distraught. She spoke with the police officer shortly before 11:30 p.m. in a parking lot near Banfield park, in the 500-block of Craigflower Road.

If you know who assaulted the officer, or who the woman was that he was trying to assist, you can tell us anonymously. Your information will be passed to the investigators by us ensuring that nobody will know that you spoke out.

Please click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above or call 1-800-222-8477

File: 21-36037

VicPD are looking to identify this male who on Aug 21^st, entered a store in Mayfair Mall and walked away with a $100 Thrasher Hoodie. Staff attempted to confront the suspect, but he got away.

If you recognize this suspect and you want to tell us his name anonymously, please call 1-800-222-8477. You may also submit a tip here by clicking the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above.

VI 21-34108

Sooke RCMP would like to identify the man in the pictures. He is a suspect in a theft where sheets of plywood wood were stolen from a property on Gillespie Road. The theft took place on 10^th August and was captured on the homeowner’s security camera.

In addition to this theft the Police suspect the man could be involved with other thefts and damage to property that has happened in the vicinity. The cost of these incidents have amounted to several thousand dollars.

If you recognize the ‘Dirt Bike Bandit’ then tell us, we will pass your information to the Police and you will remain anonymous.

Call 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online here by clicking the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above.

21-3560

Saanich and Victoria Police Departments along with our local RCMP Detachments, have all become part of North America’s biggest bike registration project.

Project 529 also known as Garage 529 have developed a huge data base for you to register your bike to. Once on there your bike can be identified and returned to you if it is stolen.

Project 529 can be accessed through the “Garage 529” app and online at https://project529.com/garage

Registration is easy, follow the steps and have your bike details on the data base in less than 5 minutes.

Once registered you can report your bike as stolen, identify any bikes you find and check that if you are buying a secondhand bike  it is legitimate.

Many local bike shops are partners of the program and once registered you get a shield to stick on your bike to show it is on the system.

Saanich Police Department are holding an open registration day on Friday August 5^th at the Switch Bridge between 2pm-4pm.

Saanich Police are investigating a Break & Enter that took place at a restaurant in the 4000 block of Shelbourne Street on June 18th around 4:25am.

The suspects picked the lock to the front door and stole money from inside the business.

If you recognize either suspect and you want to tell us their names anonymously, please call us at 1-800-222-8477, or click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.

SA 21-13605

Hey Greater Victoria

Needless to say we have recently been hit hard with some rather hot weather. The result of this is extremely dry grass and forested areas, that are the perfect fuel for fire.

We want to once again remind you all to ensure that you are using common sense and not lighting fires at this time. We also don’t want to see anyone tossing cigarette butts out the window.

If you see a fire, please call 911 immediately!

If you see anyone deliberately starting fires, please call Police/Fire. If you see someone tossing a cigarette butt out the window, please make note of their license plate and you can report it to Police, or anonymously through us by clicking the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above, or by calling us at 1-800-222-8477.

West Shore RCMP are looking for help in identifying the male shown in the pictures.

He is the suspect in a stolen bike file.

The owner of the bike locked it up at around 6.45am just before they went to work at Victoria General Hospital. When they returned at 3pm after their shift had finished, they discovered it had been stolen.

The security staff at the hospital reviewed the CCTV for that part of the hospital and saw that at 11.40 the person in the pictures went up to the bike, cut off the lock and rode it away.

If you know who this suspect is, or where the bike is, please tell us. You will remain anonymous and the culprit won’t!

Call 1-800-222-8477 or submit  by clicking the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.

F/N 21-11373

Saanich Police are asking for help to identify the male suspect shown in these pictures, who stole a RBSM Sport semi electric bike.

The owner of the stolen bike had locked it up on May 29th outside The Tillicum Centre by the entrance near London Drug and Starbucks.

The suspect has been seen by mall CCTV stealing the bike and its lock from the location.

The bike is worth around $2000 and was the only mode of independent transport our victim had.

If you know who the suspect is or where the bike is now you can tell us anonymously by calling 1-800-222-8477 or click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.

21-11967

Saanich Police are looking to identify this suspect who on May 25th, broke into a work van in the 3000 block of Tennyson Ave and stole several hundreds of dollars of items out of the back.

If you recognize this suspect and you want to tell us his name anonymously, please call us at 1-800-222-8477, or submit a tip online by clicking the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.

SA 21-11648

Between May 9^th -17^th a series of break and enters have happened at several downtown businesses.

Victoria Police Department have obtained images of the suspect or suspects, and they can be seen here.

The unusual factor that links the crimes is the suspects have used a drill to defeat the locked doors and then gain entry to the properties.

Items stolen are cash and 2 iPads.

If you recognize the suspects in the pictures you can tell us who they are anonymously by submitting a tip here online or call 1-800-222 8477

West Shore RCMP are looking for your help in identifying this suspect, who entered a department store in the 800 block of Langford Parkway and stole nearly $2500 worth of headphones.

If you recognize this suspect and you want to remain anonymous, please call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. You may also submit by clicking the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.

WS 21-6089

Saanich Police detectives are releasing this artists impression of the suspect that attacked a female on December 29th, 2020, in the Glanford Park area on Kenneth St, around 8:30pm. .

The survivor was walking in the park when she noticed her attacker walking as if he was drunk. The suspect got so close he began to fall on her, causing the survivor to push him away. The suspect then grabbed at her and assaulted her, during which she was hit in the head and scratched. The survivor fought back and eventually managed to get free by striking the suspect.

If you recognize the image as being a person you think may be the attacker, you can tell us anonymously by clicking the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above, or please call 1-800-222-8477.

F/N 20-29553

Dear Suspect

On the day that these pictures were captured of you, you made the decision to walk into the Best Buy at UpTown and commit a theft.

You made your way into the store and grabbed several hundreds of dollars worth of product and made your way to the till area. Sadly, you walked right passed the tills, where you were confronted by a keen eyed staff member.

The frightening part of this, is you decided that you would pull a knife on the staff member who was just trying to do their job.

Imagine how frightened the staff member was when they saw the knife, not knowing what you might do next, or if they would end up being hurt.  Imagine the emotional trauma you have caused them and how your selfish actions affected them deeply.

So now, we are going to share your picture with our amazing followers and we will soon have your name to provide to Police.

See you soon

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers

If you know who this suspect is and you want to tell us their name anonymously, please click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above, or call 1-800-222-8477.

Yes, we understand the picture quality isn’t great, but someone out there must recognize the clothing.

‘Like’ our page to show your dis-like for crime.

SA 21-7647

Dear Suspect

On the day that these pictures of you were taken, you decided to walk into the Devonshire Market and attempted to steal an item from the store. Unluckily for you, you were caught by the owner and you were asked to leave.

You left the store, but not before muttering words about starting fires. Sadly, you weren’t done yet as you felt the need to spray bear spray through an external vent which lead inside the store.

What is very frightening to us, is that many neighborhood children frequent that store and you had zero hesitation in doing what you did.

Well, we now get to share your picture to our amazing followers who will identify you and we can give your name to the Police.

See you very soon.

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers

If you know who this bear spraying suspect is and you want to tell us their name anonymously, please click the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above, or please call 1-800-222-8477.

21-7177

Sooke RCMP would like to speak to the people in this truck. They are responsible for driving through a wooden fence at a house on the 2000 block of Idlemore Road Sooke. The bespoke wooden fence was destroyed and will cost several thousand dollars to replace.

The hit and run took place on Sunday 18^th April 2021 at about 11.15am. The witnesses say that 2 people were in the grey Dodge truck and it looked like they were being pursued by another truck just before the crash.

The truck is described as.

Mid-late ’90’s Dodge Cummins 4X4 long box 2-door pickup, with dual exhaust stacks. It is light grey over dark gray or blue, it possibly has a dark blue right front fender. There is visible impact damage to the front of the right front fender and damage to right side of box, ahead of & above fender. It looks like it is rusted out at the base of the box & likely the cab. It has aftermarket mag wheels.

The driver was a male wearing a baseball cap and he had a female passenger with him.

If you know who the pair in the truck you can tell us anonymously. Call 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip by clicking the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above.

Saanich Police are looking for help in identifying the suspect shown in the picture. They are responsible for the theft of a white iPhone XR. The phone had been left on a desk in a room in a building in the 3100 block of Foul bay road.

The crime took place on April 7^th at around 12.30pm. The victim had noticed the suspect looking suspicious in the area just prior to the theft being discovered.

If you know who is or where the stolen phone is then please either call the Police or tell us anonymously, call 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip by clicking the “submit a tip” button.

F/N 21-7641

Dear Suspect

On the day that these pictures of you were captured on security cameras, you made the decision to use a stolen credit card to make numerous fraudulent purchases.

Now we are very pleased that you are following all provincial health orders by wearing a mask, but we are not pleased with your failure to follow the law of not committing a crime.

Sadly for you, we have thousands of amazing followers who will share this post and we will soon have your name and we will send it to our friends at the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP.

See you soon.

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers

If you recognize this suspect by his hair or clothing and you want to tell us his name anonymously, please click the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above, or you can call 1-800-222-8477.

SN 21-1119

Dear Suspect

On March 3^rd, these photos of you were taken while you decided to have a five-finger discount shoplifting spree.

You made the choice to enter an Oak Bay pharmacy and help yourself to several hundreds of dollars in product before leaving without the thought of paying for the items you hid away in your bag.

One thing we will not be hiding, are your pictures which will be shared by our thousands of amazing followers and the odds are pretty good that we will find out who you are.

Oh and we’ve been told that you are suspected of doing a previous theft in Oak Bay as well.

We will be seeing you very soon.

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers

If you know who this suspect is and you want to tell us their name, please click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above, or call 1-800-222-8477.

‘Like’ our page, to show your dis-like for crime.

OB 21-578

Saanich Police are investigating after a suspect attempted to rob a woman getting out of her vehicle, on Wednesday February 17, 2021, at approximately 6:40 a.m.  The woman was parking her vehicle in a plaza in the 5300 block of Cordova Bay Road and as she was getting out, an unknown male pushed his way in and grabbed her handbag. A short struggle ensued at which point the suspect gave up his attempt at taking her bag and left the area on foot. No weapons were used, and the victim was not physically injured.

The suspect was not known to the victim and this attack appears to be random. The suspect is described as an adult Caucasian man, 5’9”, wearing a brown, winter-style tweed jacket and knitted black gloves. His face was covered at the time and was last seen heading southbound near Cordova Bay Road. He may have later left the area in a vehicle.

If you have any information about this crime, or possible dash cam/security camera footage Saanich Police ask that you get in touch with them by calling 250-475-4321.

If you wish to provide information anonymously, please click the ‘Submit a Tip’ button above or call 1-800-222-8477.

21-3642

Camera thefts threaten innovative deer project

 A series of thefts of vital research equipment in Oak Bay threatens the ground-breaking urban deer management project. Since early December, 13 specialized wildlife cameras out of the 39 associated with the project have been stolen from locations around the municipality. The cameras play an important role in the project that is aimed at managing the indigenous urban deer population in Oak Bay by collecting data that attests, over time, to the density, movement patterns, population size and habits of Oak Bay deer.

 The three-year initiative, a partnership between the District of Oak Bay and the Greater Victoria-based Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society (UWSS), is using an immunocontraceptive (IC) to trial the humane and effective reduction of the municipality’s indigenous Columbian black-tailed deer population. It is funded by Oak Bay and the Province of BC’s Provincial Urban Deer Cost-Share Program. The project is currently at the halfway mark.

 The immunocontraception approach reduces the number of fawn births each year in a way that does not open up territory for new deer to move in and replace them the way population culls do. If successful, the project will make available a new community-based approach to urban deer management to communities throughout North America.  The project is endorsed by the BC SPCA.

 Preliminary results indicate that the application of IC to 60 does in the Fall of 2019 has significantly reduced the deer birth rate in Oak Bay in its first year.  Data from the cameras is critical to proving, up to scientific research standards, the success of the project.

 The 13 cameras, Bushnell Model 119876C [See photo below], are owned jointly by Oak Bay and the UWSS. The 13, stolen mainly from public property, are valued at a total of approximately $4,000. Nine were stolen in the first half of December and another four since then. The scale, breadth and timing of the thefts, along with the specific locations chosen, suggests a targeted campaign rather than a series of random acts.

 Oak Bay Police are investigating. Residents who have observed individuals removing tree-mounted cameras from property or associated activity from early December to present, particularly on public property, or who may have security camera footage, are asked to contact OBPD at (250) 592-2424. Anyone who has come across the sale or donation of Bushnell wildlife cameras since December or in the future should also contact Oak Bay Police.

 About the Urban Wildlife Stewardship Society (UWSS):

Chief scientist for the project is Dr. Jason Fisher, one of Canada’s leading wildlife ecologists. The project manager is Sandra Frey, MSc, an expert in evaluating the impacts of human-wildlife interactions. Project veterinarian is Dr. Adam Hering.

 The UWSS is a non-profit society with the long-term goal of conflict reduction between humans and free-living urban animals through science-based and humane population management through research and education.

If you have any information about who stole the cameras and you want to tell us anonymously, click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above, or call 1-800-222-8477.

 File 20-3973

Saanich Police are investigating the theft of the mini excavator in the pictures. It was stolen from a work site on Obed Avenue on the night of the 21^st January.

The Excavator is a yellow and black John Deere model 17D, it is 10 years old and has recently undergone some mechanical upgrades. The back hatch as pictured is absent and there are some rips to the seat.

The loss of machinery means the local company who own it are severely restricted with the work they can now carry out.

If you know where it is or who stole it and wish to remain anonymous then you can tell us 1-800-222-8477 or submit a tip online here by clicking the submit tip button.

F/N 21-1774

F/N 21-1774

Saanich Police are looking to identify this male who on January 17^th, illegally entered a secure underground garage of an apartment building in the 2900 block of Harriet Rd.

While in the parking garage, he attempted to enter numerous cars, but was unsuccessful and left the area.

If you recognize this suspect and you want to tell us his name anonymously, please call us at 1-800-222-8477.

Police would like to remind everyone to remove all objects from view in your vehicle and to ensure all your doors are locked, even in a secure parking area.

21-1380

VicPD  would like help in identifying the person shown in these photos.

They are the suspect in a case where parcels were stolen in 2 separate incidents from the front steps of a house in the 2800 block of Irma Street. The thefts occurred on December 23rd. Thankfully the parcels weren’t the home owners much-anticipated gifts, but nonetheless they were a needed items.

If you know who our Porch Pirate is, please call us 1-800-222-8477 or click the ‘Submit A Tip’ button above.