Coastal crime wave: Police seek two suspects in surge of thefts
Two men who police say were living on boats in Cadboro Bay last month are suspects in a “substantial” number of marine thefts since 2021 along the south coast of Vancouver Island.
Thomas Cudworth, 33, and 23-year-old Jack Chisholm are the subject of a joint investigation by a number of police agencies.
The two are the subjects of arrest warrants, and one was recently spotted on the Sunshine Coast.
Saanich police, North Saanich/ Sidney RCMP, Sunshine Coast RCMP and B.C. RCMP West Coast Marine Services are involved in efforts to find the men.
On June 24, Saanich police issued a statement saying that for several months, they had been hearing complaints from residents of Cadboro Bay and the marine community about “criminal activities being carried out in the bay by a suspected small group of persons living on boats in the area,” including thefts, mischief and noise, and had begun night patrols in response.
In one instance, a person reported being awoken by an attempted theft while asleep on a boat. Police said similar incidents had been reported throughout coastal areas of B.C.
Arrest warrants were issued for both Cudworth and Chisholm, who were then living on their boats in Cadboro Bay and had failed to abide by courtimposed conditions, police said.
Sunshine Coast RCMP received tips over the weekend that Chisholm was seen in Wilson Creek, southeast of Sechelt.
Police said they arrived as he was exiting the Wilson Creek IGA store on Sunday. When he saw them, he ran into bushes off the Sunshine Coast Highway, behind Canadian Tire. He was wearing a ball cap with what appeared to be a “Pepsi” logo, a dark grey or black hoodie, dark pants and dark shoes, police said. Witnesses said he smelled strongly of smoke, so it is believed he is camping in the area.
Cudworth is believed to be in the area, as well.
Call Sunshine Coast RCMP at 604-885-2266 with information about the case or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).