During the week of April 22-29 Oak Bay Police responded to 133 calls for service.

Police caution that the “grandchild” scam is still prevalent and seniors need to be very cautious. Typically in this scam a caller phones a senior pretending to be their grandchild or other family member. The caller claims to need money for an emergency. The caller then asks the senior to send the money by courier or other means. Often the caller has enough information on the victim to be convincing. An Oak Bay Senior was victimized by this scam for several thousand dollars this week.

Police are concerned about acts of mischief that have the potential to cause serious injury. Recently in the Shelbourne area of Saanich & now in the Henderson area of Oak Bay, unknown culprits are removing manhole covers and dropping them into the drain. This leaves the drain exposed where a vehicle, motorcycle or cyclist could fall into the hole causing damage or injury.

On April 28th at approximately 10:30 p.m. a Patrol Officer came upon a male lying in the middle of the intersection of Cedar Hill X road at Gordon Head road. Several motorists had stopped. Initially it was believed that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle. However, as it turns out the intoxicated male attempted to open the door of a stranger’s car as it was moving away slowly. The male subsequently fell to the ground. The male had a bandage around his head from an apparent rugby injury earlier in the day. As a result Provincial Ambulance personnel thought it prudent to take him to hospital for observation.

April 29- At approximately 1230 a.m. a male was observed to be cutting the lock off a bicycle while the owner was at the Oak Bay Recreation centre. Fortunately the owner was able to recover the bicycle and the culprit fled.

April 29 at approximately 330 a.m. a resident in the 500 block of Oliver Street awoke to the sound of a car alarm. A male was observed in the driveway of the resident. Fortunately entry was not gained in this instance. However, as reported last week the municipality continues to be plagued with theft from vehicles. Overnight April 28-29 alone there were 16 vehicles entered in the municipality. Some of the vehicle entries were discovered by patrol officers. Almost all of the vehicles that were entered were left unlocked and valuables were left inside. Police are being diligent in patrols and are also walking the streets of the municipality at night checking that vehicles are secure. Reminder notices are being left for owners of vehicles found insecure. If car owners secure their vehicles and leave no valuables behind then there is less incentive for the culprits to return.

D.B. Symes, Sgt.