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
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.