Multiple charges laid in citywide purse thefts

The Calgary Police Service has laid 71 charges, each, against two men following an investigation into several parking lot purse thefts throughout the city.

Between Sunday, February 3, 2019, and Friday, March 8, 2019, two men committed nine separate purse thefts in grocery store parking lots. It is believed the men would approach a shopper loading purchased items into their vehicle and steal the victim’s purse from their shopping cart, or from the unattended front seat of their vehicle.

In all nine cases, the same two men were seen on CCTV footage making purchases at retail businesses with victims’ stolen credit cards shortly after each incident.

Steven Craig GILLIS, 38, of Calgary, has been charged with 71 criminal offences, including two counts of robbery, seven counts of theft, 31 counts of possession of stolen property and 31 counts of use of a stolen credit card.

Scott Robert PAGE, 29, of Calgary, has also been charged with 71 criminal offences, including two counts of robbery, seven counts of theft, 31 counts of possession of stolen property and 31 counts of use of a stolen credit card.

Below are the dates and locations of the purse thefts:

• Sunday, February 3, 2019, at Superstore, 5858 Signal Hill Centre S.W.
• Sunday, February 10, 2019, at Superstore, 5251 Country Hills Blvd. N.W.
• Monday, February 11, 2019, at Superstore, 5858 Signal Hill Centre S.W.
• Sunday, February 24, 2019, at Superstore, 20 Heritage Meadows Way S.E.
• Sunday, February 24, 2019, at Costco, 75 East Hills Blvd. S.E.
• Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Costco, 99 Heritage Gate S.E.
• Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at Superstore, 5858 Signal Hill Centre S.W.
• Thursday, March 7, 2019, at Superstore, 5251 Country Hills Blvd. N.W.
• Friday, March 8, 2019, at Costco, 75 East Hills Blvd. S.E.

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank citizens for their diligence in reporting crime as it often results in investigators identifying crime trends. If you witness a crime or are the victim of a crime, please report the incident to the police non-emergency number, 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods.

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

For all emergencies and crimes in progress please contact 9-1-1.

Case #19049044/5338