(Town of New Tecumseth)- On Thursday March 19, 2015, the Nottawasaga Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were called to a theft at a gas station on Victoria Street in the Town of New Tecumseth at 3:28 in the afternoon.
The investigation revealed that two males tried to purchase a pre-paid credit card, their payment for that purchase was declined but in a distraction-type theft, they made off with a pre-paid credit card.
The Nottawasaga OPP received the vehicle descriptors and Officers in the area began a search for the suspect vehicle. The vehicle was located a short time later on County Road 90 and County Road 27 in Essa Township. The vehicle was stopped and the two males were subsequently arrested, a search of the vehicle revealed that the males were in possession of a skimming device; these types of devices are used in identity/data theft incidents. A multi- jurisdictional investigation has been launched as the males are suspected to be involved in other similar crimes in neighbouring Police areas. Additional charges could be pending following further investigation.
Charged is 20 year old Hayat HUMAYUN from North York and 26 year old Rainer FERNANDO, they are jointly charged with the following:
Theft under $5000
Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000
Instrument for use in forging credit cards
Possession of Fraudulent Credit Card
Possession of Fradulent Data
Both males were on Probation Order/Recognizance Orders and as a result they were each charged with one count of failing to comply with those orders and both held for a bail hearing. HUMAYUN is scheduled to attend a bail hearing on the 9th of April 2015 and FERNANDO was released from bail and scheduled to appear in court on the 9th of April 2015 as well.
Detachment Commander Inspector Dirk Cockburn stated “This is the type of theft that affects all of us as consumers and I am pleased with the excellent investigative work of Nottawasaga OPP members on this investigation”.