VICTORIA – BC Transit is working with Crimestoppers to help find the person(s) responsible for damaging buses with pellets from an air gun. The incidents will be featured later this week in the Crimestoppers Crime of the Week. The Crime of the Week appears in newspapers, on radio and on the web.
Seven buses have been targeted in the Sooke area between October 31 and November 14, 2013. The pellets have all struck the front windshields of buses that have included double deckers, conventional and community shuttles. BC Transit investigators have noted patterns in the incidents; the buses have all been southbound, traveling Monday through Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm. It is also believed the pellets are coming from a passing vehicle.
There have been no injuries as a result of the air gun incidents. However, the potential risk to both public and employee safety, coupled with the expense of replacing and repairing windshields, has prompted BC Transit to ask Crimestoppers for help.
BC Transit has been assisting Sooke RCMP and West Shore RCMP with their investigations of the pellet gun incidents since early November. Police and extra BC Transit staff will be patrolling the area again this week.
“The safety of our employees and our customers is of paramount concern for BC Transit,” said Manuel Achadinha, BC Transit President and CEO. “We are working closely with the RCMP and Crimestoppers and we hope the heightened awareness through Crimestoppers brings these senseless acts to an immediate end.”
BC Transit encourages anyone who has knowledge of these pellet gun incidents to contact Crimestoppers at 1.800.222.8477 or Sooke RCMP non-emergency number at 250.642.5241.
Media contact:
Meribeth Burton
Corporate Spokesperson | BC Transit
250.995.5720
meribeth_burton@bctransit.com
