A good old-fashioned stakeout set Oak Bay officers up for success in the early hours of Jan. 10.
The surveillance came as a result of a pair of break-ins reported in the 1000-block of Beach Drive, Oak Bay police said in a news release.
The first break-in was reported Dec. 28, with several items reported stolen from the home. A second break-in was reported the afternoon of Jan. 9 when it appeared several items had been moved and placed in a way that seemed like someone was coming back for them.
Oak Bay officers set up surveillance overnight and saw a pickup truck towing a cargo trailer parked across the road from the home. Police said the truck and trailer were associated to a person known to be involved in property crime.
Just after 5 a.m., officers saw a man walking away from the residence and drive off. They stopped the vehicle and arrested the 54-year-old driver for possession of property obtained by crime. The man is set to appear in court later this month.
READ ALSO: VicPD officer finds ‘unauthorized intruder’ purring in patrol car
Bitcoin success
A scammer scored $3,000 worth of bitcoin from an Oak Bay resident who later reported the fraud to police.
The resident reported the incident to police on Jan. 10, explaining how they received a phone call from someone who claimed to be a BC Hydro staffer. The scammer said the utility bill wasn’t paid and demanded bitcoin immediately to avoid power being shut off.
The resident paid.
In the wake of the scam, Oak Bay police remind residents that legitimate businesses will not call and demand payment by bitcoin or gift cards for an overdue bill, to fix a computer or to bail a family member out of jail – all common scams.
Police suggest checking in with two trusted people and sharing the experience.
It is OK to be rude and hang up and contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 or local police to confirm the legitimacy of the phone call.
Eyeball lowball
On Jan. 13 at approximately 1:15 a.m., an Oak Bay police officer conducting traffic enforcement on Foul Bay Road near Newton Street spotted a fast-moving vehicle. The officer eyeballed the speed at beyond 100 km/h in the 50km/h zone and targeted the vehicle with a Dragoneye Lidar. The speed measuring device showed the driver was travelling 128km/h.
The cop stopped the driver and issued the 21-year-old man driving an excessive speed ticket with a $468 fine and the vehicle was impounded for seven days.
Afternoon impaired stop
On Jan. 11, at approximately 12:50 p.m., an Oak Bay officer on patrol near Foul Bay Road and Milton Street pulled a vehicle over. While speaking to the driver the officer detected the smell of alcohol on her breath. The 32-year-old woman failed a roadside screening and was given a 90-day licence suspension and the vehicle was impounded.
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christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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