Police make fraud bust in west Edmonton
- Stolen ID’s and some of the tools used to create fake ID’s were shown at the Edmonton Police headquarters downtown on Thursday March 17, 2011. Photograph by Erik Nelson.
By Erik Nelson
EDMONTON – Items used to create forged identification were put on display at the Edmonton Police headquarters on Thursday Mar. 17.
A number of the items displayed were seized from an apartment in west Edmonton near 149 St. and 93 Ave. in February.
Officers entered the apartment where they allegedly found stolen ID and financial cards. They also found equipment that is used to fraudulently alter the cards.
“We get a bust like this three or four time a year,” said detective Bob Gauthier. They also make a lot of small finds all year he said.
Gauthier said that if your credit card has been stolen then you should call the card issuer and report it, as well as reporting it to the police.
One problem people face if their identity is stolen is that criminals can sign up for multiple credit cards at different stores.
Gauthier said that businesses can be a part of the problem if they aren’t checking the ID’s properly and training their employees in how to check the cards.
- Const. Marc Dehid shows off some printers at Edmonton Police headquarters on Thursday March 17, 2011. The printers were used to create fraudulent ID’s. Photograph by Erik Nelson.
“They know who to target. They will go to a young guy instead of an older person.”
There are a few things people can do to reduce the chance of being effected such as guarding important documents and leaving your Social Insurance card and birth certificate at home.
Leonard John MacDonnell, 44 is charged with possession of stolen property under $5000, forgery of a document, possess identity intended for use to commit forgery, possess identity document belonging to another, possess identity information, breach of recognizance. Additional charges are pending.
