Five people from North Bay all face criminal charges after a police investigation involving the theft of a person’s credit card and chequebook.
Police say that in November 2017 the victim got a bill from a credit card company showing an unusually high amount. The victim compiled a home audit and determined several transactions had occurred and that a credit card and chequebook were missing.
"The information was supplied to the North Bay Police Service," said ConstableJohn Schultz. "An investigation of this type can be lengthy. The investigator completed several judicial applications allowing police access to records as well as compiling video surveillance when it was available from local businesses."
As a result of the investigation, five people were identified as completing financial transactions that were fraudulent and cost the victim over $8,000.
Police arrested and charged:
Sheldon Chartrand, 22, is charged with:
- Fraud under $5,000;
- Theft under $5,000; and
- Uttering a Forged Document.
Marleigh Deschamps, 28, is charged with:
- Fraud under $5,000;
- Theft under $5,000;
- Uttering a Forged Document; and
- Breach of Probation.
Tanya Lamarche, 45, is charged with:
- Five counts of Fraud under $5,000;
- Three counts of Theft under $5,000; and
- Three counts of Uttering a Forged Document.
Shirley Larochelle, 49, is charged with:
- Fraud under $5,000;
- Theft under $5,000; and
- Uttering a Forged Document.
Brett Renaud, 27, is charged with:
- Four counts of Fraud under $5,000;
- Two counts of Theft under $5,000; and
- Three counts of Uttering a Forged Document.
Detective Constable Vince Corrente, a fraud Investigator with the North Bay Police Service, is reminding businesses of the value of maintaining and updating video surveillance equipment.
"Quality images help to identify suspects, can aid in arrests and have a tremendous impact during court proceedings."
He also advises people to go through their monthly credit card statements with care and attention.
"Report anything you think is suspicious about a credit card to your credit card issuer. You may be a victim of fraud," says Corrente.