SURREY RCMP Community Response Unit (CRU) officers located a large stash of stolen identification and bank cards during the execution of a search warrant in Cloverdale.
Shortly after 8 a.m. on December 8, Surrey RCMP responded to the theft of a vehicle from a residence in the 17200-block of 57th Avenue. The stolen vehicle had the owner’s credit card inside which was fraudulently used soon after it was stolen at a business near 168th Street and 60th Avenue.
The investigation quickly progressed as members of the Surrey RCMP CRU obtained video, which assisted with the identification of a male and a female suspect. Further investigation culminated in a search warrant at a residence in the 5800-block of 172A Street on December 11.
During the execution of the search warrant, officers located numerous items including a large quantity of stolen bank cards, identification, documents, firearms ammunition, and evidence related to the stolen vehicle.
A man and a woman were arrested and later released pending further investigation. No charges have been laid at this time. The stolen vehicle was later recovered in Cloverdale by frontline officers on December 11.
“We know that every recovered document or credit card represents a person who may have been a victim of identity theft and fraud,” said Sgt. Roger Green of the Surrey RCMP Community Response Unit. “We strongly urge everyone to take as many precautions as they can to protect themselves from falling victim to these types of crimes.”
Surrey RCMP recommends the following tips to prevent identity theft:
* Do not leave any valuables, credit cards, or identity documents in your vehicle.
* Familiarize yourself with billing cycles for your credit and debit cards, as this information is of interest to thieves during mail thefts.
* Trash bins are a goldmine for identity thieves. Make sure you shred personal and financial documents before putting them in the garbage.
* Periodically check your credit reports, bank and credit card statements and report any irregularities promptly to the relevant financial institution and to the credit bureaus.
* When you change your address, make sure you notify the post office and your bank and credit card companies.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502, or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-8477 or www.solvecrime.ca.
