Calgary, AB,
31
May
2016
|
09:28
America/Denver

Police charge two in connection with stolen debit and credit cards

The Calgary Police Service has laid a total of 39 charges against two individuals in connection with the theft of multiple debit and credit cards that occurred in public areas at Calgary’s three major post-secondary institutions.

Police launched an investigation into the thefts in March 2016, after multiple people reported that their credit and debit cards had been stolen from their wallet or purse. The thefts occurred while the victims’ were in the University of Calgary library or campus locker rooms, and the cards were then used soon after the thefts to purchase items at nearby businesses.

While working with security at the university and other schools, investigators found similar offences were also occurring at SAIT and Mount Royal University.

In total, it is believed that the suspects stole over 50 credit and debit cards in three months and fraudulently used them approximately 300 times.

Alexander Louis HARSANYI, 22, of Calgary, and Monica REBALSKI, 22, of Calgary, are both charged with multiple counts of theft under $5,000 and fraud under $5,000. They will next appear in court on Wednesday, June 29, 2016.

Police are still working closely with the security teams at all three post-secondary institutions and nearby businesses to investigate these incidents. More charges are pending.

Police believe these thefts were crimes of opportunity and Calgarians can help prevent similar thefts by:

  • Always keeping valuables with you when you are in a public area, like a gym or library.
  • Ensuring valuables are somewhere secure, like in a locked locker, if you must leave them unattended.
  • Making sure valuables are somewhere not easily visible to people walking by and where they cannot be taken without you noticing.
  • Reporting suspicious activity to security, if you are somewhere that has security, or to police.
  • Reporting any thefts to police, even if you have already reported it to security, either online or by calling 403-266-1234.

Anyone with information on these thefts or frauds is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line at 403-266-1234. Tips can also be left anonymously by contacting Crime Stoppers using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477
TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org
TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Case # Multiple/4512