Gatineau police arrest two in connection with thefts at Buckingham sports centre

More charges are to be filed soon, police say, as the investigation has linked the duo to more than 20 similar files.

Published Nov 29, 2023 • Last updated 7 hours ago • 2 minute read

A Gatineau Police Service crest. Photo by Gatineau Police Service /HANDOUT

For at least the second time this year, Gatineau police have announced arrests in connection with the theft of bank and credit cards at a community sports facility.

The Gatineau Police Service announced Wednesday that a 29-year-old man and 32-year-old woman, both from that city, were arrested following a Nov. 23 search in Masson-Angers.

Article content

The arrests followed a complaint by a woman who reported the theft of bank and credit cards from her wallet in a locked box at the Buckingham sports centre.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office.Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account.Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Article content

More than 10 fraudulent transactions were completed before the woman could cancel her cards, police said in a news release.

The suspects, “known to the police department,” were to appear in court Tuesday to face more than a dozen charges of theft, receiving a stolen credit card and fraud.

More charges would be filed soon, police added, as the investigation linked the two suspects to more than 20 similar files.

During the search in Masson-Angers, police recovered Accès Gatineau library and recreation program cards, credit and bank cards and items obtained fraudulently, the release stated.

Gatineau police asked anyone with information related to bank or credit card thefts to contact their information line at 819-243-4636, extension 5.

Earlier this year, Gatineau police announced the arrest of a 31-year-old man from Laval, Que., and a 29-year-old woman from Montreal in a fraud case affecting about 30 area residents.

In August 2022, Gatineau police had requested public assistance in identifying a suspect who had committed thefts at the Branchaud-Brière Complex in Gatineau and the Paul-Pelletier Aquatic Centre in Aylmer, with total losses for four victims of approximately $20,000.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Subsequently, police received other complaints concerning thefts at the same locations and at other sports facilities in Gatineau. In total, a January news release said, investigators linked 13 files in Gatineau and nearly 20 others in both Quebec and Ontario.

In that case, police said, the woman would drive a vehicle to the sports centres, where the man entered the buildings and stole property from others in the change rooms, including wallets, identity and bank cards, cellphones, car keys and jewelry.

The duo would then use the stolen cards to make fraudulent purchases and withdrawals from bank accounts.

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.