Sault police lay fraud charges against already incarcerated man

A stock image of an open security lock on credit cards with computer keyboard in the background illustrating the concept of credit card fraud. (File photo/weerapatkiatdumrong/iStock/Getty Images Plus)

Police in Sault Ste. Marie have laid additional fraud-related charges against a 31-year-old local man who was already in custody charged drug and weapon offences.

The new charges were laid on Tuesday, after detectives with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service attended the Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre, where the accused was being held.

Fake ID found during his arrest

The investigation began earlier this month on Jan. 9, when police executed a search warrant at a residence on the 100 block of Anna Street. The accused was located inside, taken into custody and initially charged with nine drug trafficking and firearm-related offences.

During the arrest, police discovered a credit card and an identification card on the accused. Both items bore a name that was not his, though the identification card displayed the accused’s photograph.

“An investigation determined the accused had fraudulently obtained the credit card using false identification,” police said in a news release.

Investigators said the man used the card to make more than $7,000 in fraudulent transactions.

Additional charges laid

During the detective’s visit to the correctional facility, the man was placed under arrest again. He now faces additional charges of fraudulent use of credit card, fraud over $5,000, identity fraud and identity theft.

The accused was held in custody pending a bail hearing.