2 charged, warrant issued for third in scam targeting Calgary grandparents
The Calgary Police Service confirms two people have been charged and an arrest warrant has been issued for a third after elderly Calgarians were swindled in recent weeks.
Beginning in early December, police received reports of seniors receiving phone calls from people claiming to be their grandchildren. The caller would say they had been arrested before a second person impersonating an officer stated that, due to the pandemic, a courier would be stopping by to collect cash for bail.
Police confirm several victims handed cash to a woman who visited their home following the call.
As a result of the investigation, officers searched a downtown apartment, two store units and two vehicles on Jan. 5.
Two suspects — 27-year-old Kashywayne Colie and 37-year-old Shannon Belcourt — were arrested and charged.
Colie's 13 charges include weapons, fraud and property obtained by crime offences.
Belcourt was charged with fraud over $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 24-year-old Makayla Mentis, who allegedly collected cash from the seniors, in connection with the investigation.
Investigators are also attempting to identify another woman who collected cash from victims. She is believed to be between 20 and 25 years old. Police have released surveillance images of the unknown woman.
Anyone with information regarding Mentis' whereabouts or the identity of the unknown woman is asked to contact the CPS non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 or anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers.
For tips aimed to prevent seniors from being the victims of fraud, visit Scams and Fraud Targeted at Seniors.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.