Group from Ontario stole debit, credit cards from Winnipeg gym lockers: police

Four people from Ontario have been charged following a string of locker thefts from Winnipeg gyms.

Four people from Ontario have been arrested and charged following a string of locker thefts at gyms in the city, according to Winnipeg police.

Between March 12 and 18, six incidents were identified by police where cards were stolen and items were purchased with those cards a short time later.

In total, $8,263 was fraudulently spent, according to police.

Investigators reviewed security footage from the facilities and learned a group would go in pretending to want to become members at the gym, which then gave them access to the locker area.

Police identified four people as suspects and on April 23, three of them were seen together in the 600 block of St. Anne’s Road, which police say was contrary to a court order in Ontario. All three were arrested.

On April 28, a fourth suspect was arrested.

All four – three men and one woman – are from Scarborough, Ont.

A 40-year-old man has been charged with seven counts each of fraud under $5,000, unauthorized use of credit card data and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000, as well as failing to comply with the conditions of an undertaking.

A 39-year-old man has been charged with two counts of break and enter and failing to comply with the conditions of an undertaking.

A 41-year-old woman has been charged with three counts of break and enter.

Lastly, a 52-year-old man is facing eight counts each of fraud under $5,000, unauthorized use of a credit card and possessing property obtained by crime under $5,000.

All four remain in custody and none of the charges have been tested in court.

Police continue to investigate. Anyone who has information is asked to call investigators or Crime Stoppers.