Police are warning the public to be wary of fraudsters after a person or persons claiming to represent Revenue Canada allegedly defrauded one local resident of money and attempted to do so from another.
On Monday, March 10, an unidentified man phoned a resident in the 38000 block of Fifth Avenue claiming to be a Revenue Canada investigator, RCMP Sgt. Brian Cumming wrote in a statement.
The suspect told the victim to pay $1,555 or risk going to court and/or having the police visit his house. The alleged victim was told to pay cash or vouchers from Home Depot.
The victim told the suspect he planned to call police as he did not believe the caller was from Revenue Canada. The caller then put a Hindi-speaking person on the phone to deliver the same message. The victim then asked for a letter from Revenue Canada, then hung up and phoned police to report the suspected fraud attempt.
On Wednesday (March 12), a resident in the 38000 block of Fourth Avenue received a similar call. A male advised the victim that he owed Revenue Canada $6,000 in unpaid taxes and that the money should be paid using pre-paid cards from Home Depot, or the police would be sent to his house.
The resident complied, sending $3,700 before a relative reported the matter to police. The investigation is ongoing, Cumming said.
Store damaged
On Thursday (March 13), police received a report that someone had tried to break into the Red Apple Market at 38123 Cleveland Ave. The suspect(s) attempted to remove a fire-exit door to the market. The door was damaged but no entry was gained.
Suspect arrested
On Thursday (March 13), Wal-Mart employees reported that a male had stolen goods from the store, then fled. A police officer located a suspect nearby and arrested him. Charges have been recommended.
Items stolen from home
On Thursday (March 13), police received a report of a daytime break-in at a home in the 40200 block of Diamond Road. A rear door was kicked in. Two laptop computers and a food processer were stolen.
Vehicle entered
On Friday (March 14), a vehicle that had been left parked overnight in the 39000 block of Discovery Way had its window smashed. A small amount of change was stolen.
Student targeted
On Friday (March 14), police received a report that a group of males in a black pickup truck had shot at a student from Squamish Elementary School with an air soft gun. No one was injured in the incident, which was not reported immediately to police. Attempts to locate the vehicle were unsuccessful, Cumming said.
