NORTH Vancouver RCMP said on Thursday they have arrested a man after investigating over a dozen reports of thefts from locker rooms and subsequent frauds.

In February, North Vancouver RCMP launched an investigation into reports of thefts occurring at various recreation centres in North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby and Vancouver. Investigators noted a trend where wallets were being stolen from unlocked lockers and then purchases were made with the stolen credit cards immediately afterwards at local retailers. Most often the purchases were of pre-paid credit cards and Airbnb gifts cards.

On March 14, investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in North Vancouver in relation to the theft and fraud investigations. Officers seized credit cards, gift cards, ID cards, and suspected stolen identity documents in the names of 75 different people, which have been linked to at least 28 different police files across the Lower Mainland. The value of the recovered gift cards is estimated to be over $25,000.

Multiple suspects, believed to be responsible for the thefts and frauds, have been identified during the execution of the search warrant. One of the suspects was bound by previous court conditions not to be in possession of ID documents /cards in other people’s names.

“Our investigators worked diligently to gather evidence and prepared several Judicial Authorizations in an effort to further the investigations,” said Cpl. Mansoor Sahak of North Vancouver RCMP. “They are ongoing and officers anticipate recommending charges to BC Prosecution Service in the near future against the man.”

Police are reminding citizens to be extra vigilant in protecting all of their personal identification, credit cards and valuables, which once stolen, may all be used fraudulently.

Locking up your belongings while using fitness facilities is an easy yet critical step in safeguarding your personal effects. Bring your own lock or ask fitness centre staff for locker tokens, police advised.