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March 22 2023

Total calls for service – Belleville Police responded to 88 calls for service over a 24-hour period beginning at 5:00 am on March 21, 2023 to 5:00 am on March 22, 2023.

 

Grandparent Scam – Arrest

A 20-year-old Quebec man and a 22-year-old Toronto man are facing a long list of charges after Belleville police officers caught suspects orchestrating the ‘Grandparent’s Scam’ in the city last week.

On March 16, 2023, Officers were dispatched to a home in the city’s west end after an elderly resident advised she had been contacted by someone claiming to be a bail officer. As part of the high-pressure scam, the caller advised that a relative was being held and required thousands of dollars to be released from custody.

After collecting the large initial sum of money, the scammers called the resident again, advising more money was required to complete the transaction. At that point, police were contacted.

Officers set up surveillance and following a brief foot chase, arrested two suspects as they attended the residence. Both were held for a bail hearing.

Charged with Fraud Over $5,000, Impersonating an Officer and a number of Highway Traffic Act charges is El Mahdi El Caiche, 20 years old of Quebec.

Charged with Fraud Over $5,000, Impersonating an Officer and Breach of Probation is Dave Jolivet, 22 years old of Toronto.

During the investigation, a vehicle was seized. Upon receiving judicial authorization, officers will search the vehicle for further evidence related to the offences.

Members of the Belleville Police Service continue to liaise with other police agencies in an effort to determine if these same individuals are responsible for similar occurrences. 

 

 

Fraud – Arrest

On 21 March 2023 at 4:00 pm police received a call to attend a business on Bell Blvd in regards to a fraud in progress. A female was being detained for using fraudulent I.D at several cell phone providers. Police located the female suspect and placed her under arrest.  As a result of the investigation, Haley Podniewiez, 21 years old of Belleville was charged with Obtain Credit by Fraud x2, uttering a forged document x2, fraud x2, identity theft, identity fraud and obstruct police. She was released with a court date of 27 April 2023.

 

Resist Arrest and Weapons Dangerous – Arrest

On 21 March 2023 at 7:30 pm police stopped a male near Bridge St and Church St. The male was known to the officer. A records check indicated that the male with no fixed address was wanted by a nearby police service. The officer informed the male that he was under arrest on the strength of that warrant. The male resisted arrest and pulled a long screwdriver out from his pants. A fight ensued and the male was taken into custody. During the arrest an officer suffered a broken bone in their hand. A 39-year-old male of no fixed address is charged with weapons dangerous and resisting arrest.  The accused was held for a bail hearing.

 

Robbery - Arrest

On 21 March 2023 at 7:51 pm police received a call from witnesses at a business on North Front St, that there were people fighting. Police received a subsequent call that a security officer was in a fight with a theft suspect. Upon police arrival, the suspect had fled in a vehicle. While on scene, officers spoke to the security guard and learned that he had attempted to stop the suspect from leaving the store with the merchandise and the male began to resist.  At that point, a vehicle pulled up and a male and female exited the vehicle with baseball bats and began to threaten the security guard.  A short time later, officers located the vehicle and arrested all three occupants for robbery.  As a result of the investigation a 25-year-old female Belleville resident and a 61-year-old male Belleville resident were charged with robbery. A third male, a 26-year-old Belleville resident was charged with robbery and weapons dangerous. All three accused were held for a bail hearing.