(MITCHELL, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Investigation and Enforcement Bureau (IEB) has laid charges in relation to an Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) suspicious win investigation.
On December 14, 2023, members of the OPP IEB, attached to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), received information from the OLG regarding a suspicious lottery ticket win at a retail outlet in Mitchell. It is alleged the winning ticket was stolen by a store employee and the $50,000 cash prize was subsequently claimed by an associate of that employee.
As a result of the investigation, two people were arrested and charged under the Criminal Code.
Anita RUSSELL, age 44 of Mitchell, has been charged with:
- Fraud over $5,000
- Theft over $5,000
- Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000
Melanie THOMPSON, age 51 of Stratford, has been charged with:
- Fraud over $5,000
- Possession of stolen property over $5,000
Both accused have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Stratford on a later date.
Anyone with information in relation to this investigation is asked to call the OPP at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or ontariocrimestoppers.ca.
The IEB is an OPP division, embedded within the AGCO, responsible for conducting criminal, provincial and regulatory investigations to ensure integrity and public safety within AGCO regulated industries.
