A woman walking late at night along the Valley Trail near the Blueberry neighbourhood was pushed down and had her belongings stolen in what police described as a mugging type robbery.
Staff Sgt. Steve LeClair with the Whistler RCMP said the incident occurred last Friday around 1 a.m. and the woman was wearing headphones at the time, so she did not hear the suspect approach her from behind.
“The unknown assailant came up from behind and stole her backpack and snowboard and fled quickly into the bushes,” he said, adding the victim did not report the crime until the next day. “If anybody is the victim of a robbery, they should call 911 to get immediate police attendance.”
The suspect took a purple woman’s Saloman gypsy snowboard valued at $450 and a grey Dakine backpack, which contained a laptop and external hard drive.
More indecent incidents reported
Two more incidents of indecent exposure were provided to police in Whistler over the past week after a similar incident was reported on Jan. 6 near Lorimer Road and Balsam Way.
LeClair said last Friday at 3:21 p.m. police received a report of a man masturbating along a pathway in the woods near the 4600 block of Blackcomb Way near Benchlands.
The suspect is described as being Caucasian, in his 30s, wearing a dark jacket and toque. LeClair said police responded immediately, but could not find the suspect in the area. However, he said they found footprints in the vicinity and took samples of evidence from a nearby ice patch that may have been deposited by the suspect.
On Sunday (Jan. 13) police attended the Marketplace area after receiving a complaint of man masturbating in the window of a retail store at 5:47 p.m.
“The complainant was working in the store when she observed a male peering into the store who was clearly masturbating,” LeClair said, adding the witness told police she would be able to identify the suspect if she saw him again. “She is going to be meeting with a sketch artist for a composite photo.”
The suspect is described as a white male in his late 30s, six feet tall, clean shaven, medium build, wearing a dark toque and a black zip-up jacket with white lining.
More thefts from vehicles
Police received 10 more reports of thefts from vehicles over the past week after a rash of break-ins were reported the week before.
LeClair said five vehicles in the Village, two in Benchlands and three in the vicinity of Highway 99 and the Callaghan Forest Service Road were broken into.
The latter were vehicles of snowmobilers in that area. LeClair said it is obvious that from time to time thieves are targeting the vehicles of people who are going into isolated areas.
“Police would like to remind people to not leave valuables in your car,” he said. “If you absolutely have to, secure them out of sight in the trunk.”
Safety reminder on anniversary of DJ’s death
Saturday (Jan. 19) marks the anniversary of the disappearance of Whistler DJ Mike Grefner, who was last seen leaving a nightclub in the Village until his body was discovered in the woods near Whistler Secondary School on March 10.
LeClair said the RCMP would like to remind people to ensure they are arranging a safe way home beforehand when they are going out to celebrate or consume alcohol.
“On the anniversary of the loss of Mr. Grefner his family would like to thank those who helped search for Mike,” he added.
If you have information related to any crimes in the Sea to Sky corridor you can contact Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
