Brantford Crime Briefs – June 26, 2015

Jun 26, 2015

Type: Break and Enter (Commercial)

Incident # 15-20025

Date: June 25, 2015

Location: King George Road (200 block)

Incident: On June 25, 2015 shortly after 4:30 a.m. a glass door was smashed out of the Computer Repair and Clearance Centre business on King George Road. Several laptops were reported stolen. Video surveillance which captured a masked suspect is being reviewed.

Type: Fraud

Incident # 15-20059

Date: June 25, 2015

Location: Market Street

Incident: On June 25, 2015 an employee from a bank on Market Street contacted BPS to report a fraud. A male had attended the bank and was attempting to cash a cheque which had already been reported stolen. The BPS attended and arrested an 18 year old Brantford man without incident. The accused is charged with Utter Forged Document, Fraud under $5,000.00 Breach of Probation and was released on an Appearance Notice with a future court date.

The personal cheques were reported stolen from a mailbox on June 18, 2015. The victim while checking his bank account online realized that there were transactions on his bank account which he did not authorize and contacted his bank. The victim had previously ordered cheques via the mail and believes that the cheques were delivered to his address however stolen from his mailbox by unknown persons.

Type: Fraud – Canadian Revenue Agency Scam

Incident # 15-20059

Date: Between June 23 and June 25, 2015

Incident: On June 25, 2015 a Brantford man contacted the BPS to report a fraud. The 51 year old man received a telephone call on June 23, 2015 from a man identifying himself as an employee with the Canadian Revenue Agency. The fraudster claimed that three separate letters regarding issues involving his taxes were sent to his home which the victim has ignored. The fraudster told the victim that several tax laws had been violated and they were issuing a warrant for the victim’s arrest. The conversation continued and the victim is offered to settle the claim outside of court if he agrees to pay fees immediately. The victim is instructed to transfer money the next day to a specific bank account number. The victim was contacted on June 24, 2015 in the early morning hours by a different man claiming to also work for the CRA. This fraudster told the victim that he owed more money. The victim transferred funds to the specified account. The victim received a third call from a third fraudster advising that he owed more money and advised to transfer the funds to a different account via a money transfer location which offered access to a MoneyGram.

At this time the victim became involved in a heated argument with the fraudster. The tactic used by the fraudster was threats of incarceration to coerce the victim into continuing to send funds.

The final communications were on June 25, 2015 one of the three fraudsters contacted the victim advising that they would be able to offer him a tax return if he agreed to pay an additional fee to cover the taxes on the return. The victim agreed and transferred money into a personal MoneyGram account. The victim lost just over $4,000.00.

The Canadian Revenue Agency never threatens to lay criminal charges or threatens to send you to jail if you don’t pay your taxes.

Beware of telephone phishing scams

*The CRA does not telephone one and request personal information

*The CRA never asks for credit card, health card or passport information by telephone or email

*If someone is aggressive over the phone with you – hang up

*If you are threatened or coerced over the phone to give out personal information – hang up and report the incident to police

*Never transfer money to anyone you have never met in person

*If in doubt always confide in a trusted friend, family member, call your bank for advice or call the Brantford Police Service

* Educate yourself by visiting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s website at www.antifraudcentre.ca

If you have already sent funds and/or your personal information contact the police and your financial institution immediately. If you believe that you have been a VICTIM OF FRAUD and reside in the City of Brantford, contact the Brantford Police Service at 519-756-7050.

Type: Impaired Driver

Incident # 15-20129

Date: June 26, 2015

Location: Woodway Trail

Incident: On June 26, 2015 at around 1:30 a.m. an officer on routine patrol observed a vehicle make a high speed turn onto Dunsdon Road from King George Road. The vehicle was further observed crossing the center line. A traffic stop was conducted and a conversation was had with the driver, a 19 year old Brantford man. The driver was issued a demand to provide a sample of his breath by the roadside on an approved screening device. The results were a fail and the accused was arrested and transported to the BPS. The accused provided two samples of his breath which is required by law. The accused registered readings over the legal limit and was charged with Over 80 milligrams of alcohol. The accused was released on a Promise to Appear in court on a future date.

Further the accused licence was suspended for 90 days and the vehicle he was driving was impounded for 7 days.

Tipsters who wish to remain anonymous are asked to contact Brant-Brantford Crime Stoppers at 519-750-8477 or 1-800-222-8477. Alternatively, a webtip may be submitted at: https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=251

Safety through the Protection of Persons

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