Police looking to identify fraud, theft suspects

THUNDER BAY – City police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying three suspects wanted in connection to an ongoing fraud and theft investigation.

According to a Thunder Bay Police Service release, the investigation began after police received a complaint that a debit card was stolen on Feb. 14, 2019, around 12 p.m.

The complainant indicated the theft had occurred at the Walmart Pharmacy located on Arthur Street.

Police say the victim cancelled their debit card an hour after the theft, but the investigation revealed fraudulent purchases had already been made on that same day at the Canadian Tire on Arthur Street between 12:25 and 12:30 p.m.

During the investigation, and after reviewing the fraudulent transactions, police found video surveillance of three male suspects linked to this case.

Police have released a still image from that video surveillance footage.

A description of each suspect follows:

Suspect No. 1
• Male, unknown race
• Approximately 30 years old
• Short dark hair
• Wearing three-quarter length jacket, dark baseball cap, blue jeans, dark shoes, possibly a scarf

Suspect No. 2
• Male, unknown race
• Approximately five-foot-eight
• Groomed facial hair – beard and mustache
• Wearing black baseball cap with white lettering on the front, long green winter coat with fur on hood, blue jeans with dark patch on right knee, dark shoes, white ear buds

Suspect No. 3
• Male, unknown race
• Approximately six-foot-two
• Groomed facial hair – beard and moustache
• Wearing dark winter coat, dark baseball cap, dark Nike pants, dark shoes
• Carried a small purse-like bag over his shoulder

If you have any information that could assist investigators please call police at 684-1200, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.

Police would like to remind the public to be extra vigilant when using credit or debit cards. Would-be fraudsters could be on the lookout for your pin numbers, and may approach you with a clever story in an effort to prompt you to reach for your wallet. Such schemes may involve the scam artist showing you a $20 bill he or she claims you dropped, only to attempt to take your card while you check your wallet.