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Four people from southern Ontario are charged in connection with a string of gym locker break-ins and credit card fraud in Winnipeg.
Credit and debit cards stolen from fitness facility lockers throughout Winnipeg were part of an organized theft ring, Winnipeg police said in a Friday news release.
Video surveillance led investigators to a group of suspects who went to gyms under the pretense of becoming prospective members, which provided them access to the secured locker areas, police said.
There were a total of six incidents from March 12 until March 18:
- March 12: A locker was broken into and a wallet containing a credit card was stolen from Altea Active on South Town Road in the Bridgwater neighbourhood. Fraudulent transactions of about $1,255 were made shortly after.
- March 14: A locker was broken into a wallet stolen from GoodLife Fitness on Newmarket Boulevard in the Refinery district, a new area in South Winnipeg near Waverley West. Fraudulent transactions of $825 were made shortly afterwards.
- March 16: A locker was broken into and a wallet stolen from GoodLife Fitness on Main Street near Portage Avenue. Fraudulent transactions totalling $283 were made.
- March 17: A locker was broken into and a wallet stolen from Planet Fitness on Meadowood Drive in St. Vital. Fraudulent transactions of $4,000 were made.
- March 17: At the same fitness facility later that day, a wallet was stolen from a second locker, and $1,000 was spent with stolen cards.
- March 18: A locker was broken into and a wallet stolen from GoodLife Fitness on Newmarket Boulevard again. Transactions totalling $900 were made.
Three people, all from Scarborough, Ont., were arrested April 23 on St. Anne’s Road in Winnipeg’s St. Vital area.
A 40-year-old man is charged with 22 counts related to fraud, possession of property obtained by crime, and failing to comply with previous court orders.
A 39-year-old man is charged with two counts of breaking and entering and committing theft, as well as one count of failing to comply with previous court orders.
A 41-year-old woman is charged with three counts of breaking and entering and committing theft.
A fourth person, also from Scarborough, was arrested April 28 outside a residence in Winnipeg’s South Pointe area. The 52-year-old man is charged with 24 counts related to fraud, unauthorized use of a credit card and possession of property obtained by crime.
Winnipeg police say their investigation is continuing, and ask anyone with information to contact investigators at 204-986-2426.
Anonymous tips can be called in to Crime Stoppers 204-786-8477 or submitted online.