News release

Recent files of note

June 18, 2025 - Nanaimo, British Columbia
From: Nanaimo RCMP

Content

False Alarms

Since the beginning of April 2025, officers have attended to over 100 false alarms.  To deal with this issue, the City of Nanaimo has amended a bylaw to address the number the abundance of calls and to hold property owners accountable. When an alarm is reported, if there is no property representative available, police will attend. Depending on the size of the property and nature of the alarm, multiple officers may be required. All doors and windows are checked for signs of forced entry, and if a door is found insecure, officers will search the interior of the building. Some calls may take upwards of 20-30 minutes to deal with. The overwhelming number of alarms are false. If officers attend to a false alarm and it is the first incident, the owner will receive a warning letter. If police attend a second time, the owner will be billed $150 with the amount added to their tax role. A third offence is $500.

Abandoned dog

File # 2025-16417 At approximately 4 AM on May 31, 2025, police found a very large, wet and scared dog tied up to the front steps of the police detachment. The officers dried the dog off, fed it and provided water before placing it in a secure shelter at the detachment. Animal Control was then contacted and took possession of the dog. The officer later learned that the owner of the dog had dropped the animal off as they were no unable to care for it. The animal is now in the care of Animal Control until a safe home can be found for it.

Animal calls

File # 25-17274 On June 7, 2025, officers attended to a report of dog that appeared to be in distress in a parked vehicle. The attending officer noted that the vehicle in question was parked under a tree and was providing reasonable shade. The owner then attended and removed the dog from the vehicle. The officer did not see any signs of distress or health concerns in the animal. The officer took the opportunity to have a candid conversation with the dog owner about the risk of dogs overheating in vehicles. It was also brought up that it might be better to just leave the animal at home.

Check well-being

In early June officers attended to a residence to assist the homeowner with an ongoing issue with a family member. The resident said that a family member was screaming, punching walls, and claiming that unknown people were following them. They also were claiming their phone had been hacked. The home owner was concerned for not only the safety of the family member but for themselves. Officers spoke with the individual who was known to the officers they had calmed down by the time they arrived. The adult man assured the officers he did not want to hurt themselves or anyone else. The officers then offered community support which was readily accepted. The complainant was appreciative of the effort and time the officers gave to the situation.

Break and Enter

File # 2025-17450 At approximately 4:40 AM on June 9, 2025, a lingerie shop and barber shop located in the 100 block of Front St were broken into. Police attended and found the front door to the lingerie business smashed open, and an impression of a boot on the door. The nearby barber shop had also been broken into with a large brick found at the entrance. Smaller items were taken and both incidents still under investigation.

Missing child

File # 2025-17601 On June 10, 2025, an officer decided to spend his lunch hour mingling with students at local elementary school. While interacting with the students the officer was alerted that the principal of the school was giving chase to a student with developmental issues who had run from the school. The officer took up the chase too and managed to find the teacher trying to convince the young boy out from some nearby bushes where he was hiding. The officer assisted and successfully they removed the child from the bushes and escorted the youth back to the school.  

Theft from vehicle

File # 2025-17814 Sometime overnight on June 13, 2025, an unlocked vehicle parked in the 400 block of Machleary St was rummaged through. Taken was a blue tote containing a number of play station 2 games and assorted DVD movies.

Theft from vehicle

File # 2025-17962 Sometime overnight on June 13, 2025, an unlocked vehicle parked at Buttertubs Marsh was ransacked. Taken were various CD’s and gas receipts.

Theft from vehicle

File # 2025-17977 Sometime overnight on June 13th an unlocked vehicle parked in the 800 block of Dufferin St was rummaged through. Taken was a men’s dark brown leather wallet and insurance papers.

Theft of tools

File # 2025-18135 On June 14, 2025, a vehicle owner reported tools taken from the back of his truck while aboard a BC Ferry. The vehicle owner said the ferry left Horseshoe Bay at around 1:30 PM and was expected to arrive at Departure Bay at 2:45 PM. The vehicle was parked on the 3rd level of the ferry. The theft was only realized when the owner returned to their vehicle as it was preparing to dock at Departure Bay.  Taken was a new red Milwaukee tool box, that contained a Milwaukee Grinder, along with several batteries and an assortment of other tools. Police are working with BC Ferry’s security to review surveillance footage.

Theft from vehicle

File # 2025-17969 Sometime overnight on June 16, 2025, an unlocked truck parked on While Blossom Way, was rummaged through. Taken was a HP Elite laptop with serial # 359Z1UT#ABA/5CG146B12V.
 

Contacts