Calgary police seek accused in grandparent scam who missed court appearance
Calgary police are looking to the public for help locating a man wanted for allegedly using a so-called 'grandparent scam' that swindles seniors.
The victim told police someone called him on Sept. 22 pretending to be his nephew and claiming to be in trouble after being arrested.
His 'nephew' said he needed thousands of dollars in cash to get out on bail.
A second person then called the victim claiming to be his nephew's lawyer.
The senior hung up and called his nephew to confirm the story, at which time he discovered none of it was true. He then called police to report it.
Officers were ready and waiting at the senior’s home when one suspect arrived to pick up the cash.
A second suspect was arrested the next day.
Nicky Cotroni-Bruno, 39, and Patrick Gill, 32, both from Mascouche, Quebec, have each been charged with one count of defrauding a person over $5,000.
Gill has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 26.
Cotroni-Bruno was also released from custody and was scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 26, but failed to appear.
A warrant has now been issued for his arrest.
He is described as being 183 centimetres (6’) tall, approximately 102 kilograms (225 pounds) with brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Cotroni-Bruno is asked to call police at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be left anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.