Family Charged in Identity Theft Ring

The Calgary Police Service Economic Crime Unit has charged five family members with over 114 charges related to identity theft.

Between March 2012, and October 2013, more than 15 vehicles were targeted for car prowlings in the cities of Calgary, Banff and Invermere, B.C. Suspects would use personal identification information stolen from parked vehicles and use it to apply online for Home Depot credit cards. These credit cards were then used to purchase Home Depot gift cards at locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Airdrie, Okotoks and Cranbrook, B.C. These fraudulently purchased gift cards were then sold through online sites at a discounted price.

The Home Depot Canada asset protection associates brought these incidents to the attention of Calgary police and were vital in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

“At The Home Depot Canada we take retail crime very seriously; it’s not just a crime against a retailer, but the community we live and work in. We thank the police for all their support. Today’s announcement reinforces the message that fraudulent activities have serious consequences,” said Bill Davies, Director Asset Protection, The Home Depot Canada.

To date, investigators believe the same individuals were responsible for 43 incidents involving 19 victims of identity fraud, worth an estimated $56,000.

Jennifer Marie SHEPHERD, 27, of Calgary, is charged with 29 counts of identity fraud, 31 counts of fraud under $5,000, nine counts of laundering proceeds of crime and eight counts of breach of recognizance, for a total of 77 charges. She will next appear in court on Friday, March 21, 2014.

Andrew James SHEPHERD, 32, of Calgary, is charged with three counts of identity fraud, four counts of fraud under $5,000, and four counts of laundering proceeds of crime, for a total of 11 charges. He will next appear in court on Tuesday, March 18, 2014.

Carol Lee SHEPHERD, 52, of Calgary, is charged with four counts of identity fraud, four counts of fraud under $5,000, and two counts of laundering proceeds of crime, for a total of 10 charges.  She will next appear in court on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.

Darcy Frederick SHEPHERD, 50, of Calgary, is charged with three counts of identity fraud, four counts of fraud under $5,000, and two counts of laundering proceeds of crime, for a total of nine charges.  He will appear in court on Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

Sarah Annie SAVOIE, 30, of Calgary, is charged with seven counts of laundering proceeds of crime. She will next appear in court on Thursday, March 27, 2014.

The Calgary Police Service would like to thank the RCMP Banff and Invermere detachments, as well as The Home Depot Canada for their assistance with this investigation.