2 charged connected to Canmore bike theft and fraud investigation
Two men from Calgary are facing charges after eagle-eyes RCMP officers in Canmore recognized them as subjects of a months-long investigation into bike thefts and frauds.
Police were alerted about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday about a man trying to use a fraudulent credit card at a business in the mountain community west of Calgary.
When officers arrived, they recognized two men in the area. Both were arrested and a vehicle was seized.
A search warrant was obtained for the car and officers located:
- Numerous counterfeit credit cards;
- Identity documents;
- Break-in instruments;
- Instruments to forge licence plates, and;
- Other property which was obtained by crime.
Melody Velasquez, 37, is facing 21 charges, including:
- Three counts of use of a forged document;
- Two counts of possession of stolen property;
- Fraudulent use of a credit card;
- Possession of break-in instruments;
- Four counts of identity theft;
- Unauthorized possession of a weapon;
- Four counts of theft under $5,000, and;
- Mischief under $5,000.
Velasquez was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on June 29.
Elmer Collo, 43, is charged with eight offences, including:
- Two counts of use of a forged document;
- Possession of stolen property;
- Fraudulent use of a credit card, and;
- Possession of break-in instrument.
Collo was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on June 28.
Canmore RCMP issued a warning to cyclistsearlier this week after several mid to high-end mountain bikes had been reported stolen.
RCMP also provided a number of tips for preventing bicycle thefts, including:
- Store bicycles indoors if possible;
- Use heavy duty bike locks that are difficult to cut;
- Take detailed photos of your bicycles and record the serial/part numbers, as it may assist with the recovery of your property;
- Monitor online resale websites/forums such as Kijiji, eBay, Facebook Buy and Sell, etc., for your recently stolen bicycle and notify police if observed;
- If using parkades or entrances to communal residences, please ensure those entering said facilities are allowed to be there as suspects are currently following patrons inside to gain access to underground parkades;
- If suspicious activity is noted, try to acquire a detailed description of the person(s) (ie: height, weight, gender, race, clothing description) or a vehicle(s) in question (ie: colour, make , model, licence plate, # of occupants), and;
- Whether a home owner or business property representative, please ensure your surveillance systems are in working order to assist victims and police with potential evidence collection.
Officers will also be increasing patrols and visibility in areas where bike thefts have been reported.
Anyone with information is asked to call Canmore RCMP at 403-678-5519 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.