Police have arrested a prolific offender and seized a substantial amount of items used to make fake ID’s including credit card skimmers.

Whistler and Pemberton RCMP say on February 6th officers stopped a vehicle that was speeding at approximately 2 pm. It was found to be uninsured and the driver a 36-year-old man from Surrey, was wanted on two outstanding warrants in Kamloops.

Police arrested the male and also found a substantial amount of items related to making false identification, documents and what is believed to be items associated to credit card skimmers and creating fake credit cards. The Surrey resident is being held in custody.

As the investigation continued, Pemberton RCMP determined there were others involved and believed to be in the Whistler area. Two additional people were arrested later in the evening, in the 4400-block of Sundial Place. One of those arrested was a 31-year-old man who is a prolific offender from Abbotsford. He was wanted on three warrants totaling 19 outstanding charges from three different jurisdictions in the Lower Mainland, and is now being held in custody to appear in North Vancouver Court. An 18-year-old female, also from Abbotsford who had been reported missing was arrested. She was later released without charge and arrangements for her return home were made.

Whistler RMCMP Staff Sergeant Paul Hayes says this was an excellent example of coordination and tenacity in the Sea-to-Sky corridor on the part of Pemberton and Whistler RCMP.

Police are reminding the public to protect their credit and debit cards by memorizing your personal identification Number (PIN) number and recommend shielding your PIN when using an ATM or pin pad. It is also advised that during transactions you swipe your cards yourself as opposed to allowing a cashier to do it for you. If you are not able to swipe your card yourself ensure that you maintain visual contact with your cards at all times.

If you suspect a point of sale terminal or pin-pad has been tampered with or you have been the victim of fraud contact your bank or credit card companies to inform them, contact credit bureaus and have fraud alerts placed on your credit reports.

The investigation continues and new charges are expected. Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Whistler RCMP at 604-932-3044 or the Pemberton RCMP at 604-894-6634, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS.

 

Filed under: Credit Card Skimmer, Police, RCMP, Whistler