Thursday, March 20, 2003

TRAFFIC AND MARINE UNIT FINDS FRAUD ARTISTS
Echo Bay, Ont.,

The Northeast Region Traffic and Marine Unit, stationed in Sault Ste Marie, arrested three Quebec people on numerous fraud charges.

Yesterday at 10:00 a.m., officers from the Northeast Region Traffic and Marine Unit stopped a car on Hwy 17 near Echo Bay for speeding. The officers had some questions about the ownership of the vehicle and started to investigate further.

The officers located a debit machine similar to the ones used in stores. Further investigation revealed a small amount of marijuana and a canister of pepper spray.

Two males and one female were arrested and will appear in Sault Ste Marie bail court this afternoon. All three face charges of Theft and Forgery of Credit cards and Possession of an Instrument Used to Forge Credit Cards. Additional charges of Possession of a Weapon Dangerous to the Public Peace. Possession of Marijuana and Breach of Probation were laid against individuals in the car.

Members of the Ontario Provincial Police Anti Rackets Section will arrive in Sault Ste Marie later today to assist in this investigation. Numerous other criminal charges are expected to be laid as this investigation continues

All three accused are from the Montreal area. The names of the accused will be released later this morning after court documents are filed. It is believed that the three were headed to western Canada from the Montreal area.