Calgary, AB,
24
January
2019
|
08:04
America/Denver

Calgary Police Service arrest identity theft suspect, seek public assistance for additional charges

Media Advisory:

Detective Matt Frederiksen from the Calgary Police Service Fraud Team and Harpreet Sandhar, chief of operations, Canada Border Services Agency, will be available this morning to speak to this press release. The counterfeit holographic stickers will be available for media to photograph, along with other exhibits from the investigation.

DATE: Today, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019

TIME: 10:30 a.m.

LOCATION: Media Briefing Centre, Calgary Police Service Headquarters

(5111 – 47 Street N.E.)

 

Media Release:

Calgary Police Service arrest identity theft suspect, seek public assistance for additional charges

The Calgary Police Service has arrested a Calgary man believed to be responsible for multiple identity theft and fraud offences.

In September 2018, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) intercepted a shipment from China containing 3,066 counterfeit holographic stickers that were intended to be used on Canadian and American permanent resident cards. After examining the counterfeit holographic stickers, the CBSA referred the shipment to the Calgary Police Service for further investigation.

After the Calgary Police Service Fraud Team concluded a three-month long investigation, a male suspect was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018. 

The accused was initially suspected of being involved in the production of fraudulent identity documents, using counterfeit holographic stickers intended for use on Canadian permanent resident cards. Calgary police executed a search warrant on a storage locker located at the 5000 block of 77 Avenue S.E., which revealed evidence of fraudulent identity document production.

During the investigation, it became clear that the suspect had allegedly created, and was living under, false identities to avoid warrants for his arrest.

Garrit Glen ENGLIGH-SCHLEIERMACHER is charged with eight criminal code offences related to fraud and identity theft, including:

  • Utter forged document
  • Fraud over $5,000
  • Obtain credit by false pretences
  • Identity fraud
  • Possession of forgery instruments
  • Possess a government stamp
  • Possess identity document
  • Breach of recognizance

ENGLIGH-SCHLEIERMACHER was also wanted on 21 outstanding warrants for unrelated offences.

“Identity theft is a serious crime that can have lasting effects for victims. This is a great example of how law enforcement agencies work together for a common goal of seizing equipment intended for illegal purposes, and for holding individuals accountable for their offences. CPS would like to thank CBSA for its continued involvement in helping keep our city safe for all Calgarians,” said Matt Frederiksen, Detective, Calgary Police Service Fraud Team.

“This seizure directly supports our mandate of upholding the integrity of our immigration system and demonstrates the important role we play in protecting our communities. We are proud of the work our officers and our partners do every day to keep Canada safe," said Harpreet Sandhar, Chief of Operations, Canada Border Services Agency.

The Calgary Police Service is releasing a photo of ENGLIGH-SCHLEIERMACHER in hopes of generating public information on additional identity theft and fraud offences alleged to have been committed by him .

The Service would like to remind citizens not to carry their birth certificate or Social Insurance Number in their wallet or purse, but instead to keep them in a secure location. If a member of the public is concerned about their identity or believes that their identity has been stolen, they can make an inquiry through a credit reporting agency such as Equifax or TransUnion.

Should a member of the public discover that their identity has been compromised, they are encouraged to notify their financial institutions immediately and then contact the Calgary Police Service to report the incident.

Anyone who may have any information regarding this incident, or any others, is asked to call the police non-emergency number at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously using either of the following methods:

TEXT: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

Case: CA18507750/3285