The Whistler RCMP is seeking information on two suspects linked to a pair of vehicle break-ins at a Marketplace parking garage this week, according to a release.
On both Sunday, Nov. 22 and Monday, Nov. 23, police were notified of two incidents of theft from vehicles parked in an underground facility in the 4300 block of Lorimer Road.
In both instances, police said the suspects managed to access a secure area of the parking facility and broke in to two vehicles. In one case, the vehicle’s window was shattered and some small, personal items removed. The other vehicle had been left unlocked and police said several personal and work-related items were taken.
Investigators said two men entered the underground area between 1:35 and 2:50 a.m. on Nov. 22. The first suspect is described as Caucasian, 5-11 in height, and was wearing a black jacket, grey pants, black backpack and black and white Nike shoes at the time. The second man is described as 5-5 in height, and was wearing a grey hoodie, black baseball cap, black backpack and dark blue jeans on the night in question.
Both suspects were noted leaving the area on bikes, police said.
Police are asking the community to report any suspicious behaviour they may notice, especially in the early morning hours, and are asking anyone with information on the thefts to contact the detachment at 604-932-3044, or Sea to Sky Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous.
Distracted driver ticketed twice in 10 minutes
A driver couldn’t resist the allure of his cellphone from behind the wheel last week, resulting in two separate tickets in the span of mere minutes, police said in a release.
At about noon on Thursday, Nov. 19, Whistler RCMP was conducting safety enforcement along Highway 99, near Nesters Road, when officers observed a driver on his cellphone travelling northbound.
The vehicle was stopped and the man was issued a violation ticket for using an electronic device while driving, before being sent on his way. Ten minutes later, police said the same driver was observed again on his cellphone, this time travelling southbound on Highway 99. He was stopped and issued a second ticket.
As a result, the driver faces a combined fine of $736 and eight penalty points on his licence, meaning he’ll have to pay an additional penalty “for any points over three in a 12-month period,” police said, “which, at minimum, would be an additional $331.”
ICBC can also add a driver risk premium after two or more convictions in a three-year span for using a device while driving, police said.
“ICBC and police are reminding motorists that on average 76 people die every year in crashes where distracted driving is a contributing factor,” the release read. “In fact, you are five times more likely to crash if you are on your handheld device then without it, and police are taking a zero tolerance approach to this type of driving behaviour.”
