On March 13, 2021, St. Albert RCMP Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) executed a Search Warrant at an apartment complex in the City of St. Albert. The search of the residence located hundreds of pieces of stolen identity documents, forged identification, forged cheques and stolen mail. There was evidence the individuals were making and distributing forged identification to be used in other frauds.
As a result of the investigation, a 33-year-old female and a 32-year-old male of Edmonton, have been remanded into police custody and are set to appear in court on March 22, 2021 in St. Albert on the following charges:
- Identity theft
- Fraud
- Possession of stolen property
- Trafficking in identity documents
- Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose
- Possession of Methamphetamine, and
- Failure to comply with release documents
St. Albert CRU has seen a significant increase in identity theft complaints recently. St. Albert CRU has completed three separate investigations that have resulted in the seizure of hundreds of forged and stolen identification documents. Many of the stolen identity documents that the suspects have used to make false identification based on, come from theft from motor vehicles which is called "car hopping" or "car shopping".
To help combat this growing crime trend, the St. Albert RCMP urge citizens to follow the #9PM Routine and keep their motor vehicles locked.
If you have any information on this crime or any other crime, you are asked to contact the St. Albert RCMP at 780-458-7700 or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.