Two arrested & charged by Maidstone RCMP after investigation into fraudulent activity
On February 22, 2022 at approximately 10:00 PM Maidstone RCMP arrested two individuals who are now charged with multiple offences, including fraud and possession of identity documents.
Maidstone RCMP received a report of fraudulent activity at a business in Maidstone, SK. Officers located the individuals on Highway #16 just east of Maidstone, Sask., activated their vehicle's emergency equipment and the vehicle stopped.
As a result of an on-scene investigation, officers arrested two individuals. A search warrant on the vehicle was subsequently executed and officers located and seized information related to multiple false identities.
"Everything from forged Social Insurance Numbers, health care cards, driver's licences, credit cards, SIM cards, phones and a quantity of cash were located and seized from the vehicle," says Sgt. Jolyne Harrison, Maidstone Detachment Commander.
Prabhjot Singh and Daman Singh Bajwa from Edmonton were arrested and charged with the following offences:
- Counterfeiting Mark, contrary to Section 376(2) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of Property Obtained by Crime, contrary to Section 354(1) of the Criminal Code
- Fraud over $5000.00, contrary to Section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code
- Possession of Identity Documents, contrary to Section 56.1 of the Criminal Code
Maidstone RCMP released Singh and Bajwa, who are scheduled to appear before court for their first appearance on March 22, 2022 in Lloydminster, SK.
"We would like to thank the communities we serve for being vigilant and reporting suspicious behaviour and activity," adds Sgt. Jolyne Harrison.
This investigation is ongoing.
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Woman charged after fraudulent ID and credit cards seized during traffic stop
On February 25, 2022 at approximately 4:30 p.m., an officer from the Saskatchewan RCMP's Roving Traffic Unit stopped a vehicle near Maidstone, SK.
A subsequent investigation led to the vehicle being searched. The officers located and seized 16 fraudulent social insurance number cards, eight fraudulent permanent resident cards, nine fraudulent Ontario driver's licences and three fraudulently-obtained credit cards. A photo is attached.
As a result, Mariah Betty Crookes of Vancouver, BC was arrested and charged with:
- 3 counts, possession of government marks, Section 376(2), Criminal Code
- 1 count, illegal possession or trafficking in government documents, Section 56.1, Criminal Code
- 1 count, fraud greater than $5,000, Section 380(1)(a), Criminal Code
She has appeared in court and has been remanded into custody until her next appearance at North Battleford Provincial Court on March 2, 2022 at 11:30 a.m.