One of the two women charged in a fraud and identity theft case in St. Thomas is currently serving a conditional sentence for past fraud-related convictions, according to court documents.
St. Thomas police reported that they executed searches at residences in Fingal, located southwest of St. Thomas, and Springfield, situated northeast of the city, on March 20 as part of their ongoing investigation into fraud.
Authorities confiscated identification documents, financial records, electronics, drugs, cash, and weapons during the operation, police stated on Friday.
“Due to the volume of evidence seized, the investigation remains ongoing,” said St. Thomas police in a statement.
A 37-year-old woman from St. Thomas and a 33-year-old woman from Fingal are facing over twenty charges combined. These include fraud exceeding $5,000, identity theft, possession of identification documents, possession of forged documents with intent to use them unlawfully, forgery, possession of stolen property and possession of drugs intended for trafficking.
The two women were presented in a St. Thomas court on Thursday and are being held in custody while awaiting bail hearings.
Court records indicate that the Fingal woman is serving a two-year conditional sentence that involves three years of probation after being convicted for offences including identity theft and forgery related to fraud over $5,000.
This individual faces charges for not adhering to conditions requiring her to “keep the peace and be of good behaviour,” not consuming alcohol or cannabis and not possessing identification or bank cards unless they are issued under her name.
The court records also show that the St. Thomas woman was released on bail last year after Aylmer police charged her with four counts related to drug possession – fentanyl, cocaine, oxycodone and codeine – intended for trafficking as of August 30.
She faces three additional counts for failing to comply with release orders prohibiting her from having more than one cellphone or possessing drug paraphernalia or weapons.
St. Thomas police suspect there might be more victims involved in this ongoing case regarding fraud and identity theft.
“Anyone who thinks their personal or financial information may have been compromised is encouraged to contact the St. Thomas Police Service,” authorities advised.
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