INNISFAIL – RCMP intelligence team members have rounded up a man wanted on more than 60 criminal offences, including some in Innisfail.
On Feb. 13, the RCMP’s Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Team (SACRT) arrested an Olds man on the run from 63 outstanding warrants for crimes allegedly committed in four jurisdictions, including Olds, Innisfail, Didsbury and Calgary.
Morgan Stephen Winter, 44, of Olds, is charged with two counts of theft of a vehicle, possession of identity documents, driving while prohibited, five counts of identity fraud, five additional ones for identity theft, five counts of fraud under $5,000, two counts of fraud over $5,000, eight counts of forgery, nine counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000, seven counts of failing to appear in court, 10 counts of uttering a forged document, obstructing police, an additional charge of possession of stolen property and seven counts of breaching probation.
Winter was remanded into custody and was scheduled to appear in Didsbury provincial court via CCTV on Feb. 16.
RCMP said SACRT is a newly formed team of RCMP officers whose mandate is to target known offenders and reduce crime in southern Alberta. It is an intelligence lead unit tasked to identify criminals who have the biggest impact on communities, and disrupt their ongoing criminal activity.
The unit’s mandate is to increase inter-agency communication, shared criminal intelligence and a strategic focus on repeat property crime offenders.
RCMP warn residents of phone scam
Innisfail RCMP is advising residents of a reoccurring phone scam that is targeting local residents.
Police said the scam involves suspects contacting potential victims by phone, claiming to be an employee from STARS Lottery.
Victims are told they have won a prize from the lottery and are asked to make a payment to claim their prize.
Police are reminding the public this is a scam and if citizens have won a prize or funds they should never have to pay any money to collect it.
The RCMP is issuing the following suggestions to avoid being scammed:
If you receive such a call, do not provide personal information, or make payments or transfer money, as this is a scam.
If you are a victim and have not lost money, hang up the phone immediately and call the Canadian Anti-fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
If you receive a suspicious email soliciting your financial information, advise the bank/agency involved.
If you are a victim of fraud – having lost money -- contact your local police, and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
For more information on scams contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online at www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca or toll free at 1-888-495-8501.
If you believe you may be the victim of fraud or have given personal or financial information unwittingly, contact the Innisfail RCMP at 403-227-3342 or call your local police. Citizens can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by Internet at www.tipsubmit.com.
