Date :August 12, 2021
File: 21-17111
The Saanich Police have identified a suspect related to a series of mail thefts from apartment complexes that occurred over the past month.
Over the course of several weeks, beginning on July 4, 2021, the suspect broke into eight apartment buildings and targeted the centralized mailboxes in the common/lobby areas. Surveillance video was provided in several of these incidents, which was then fanned out to the public by the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers.
On Friday, August 6 a witness saw a man walking at Uptown Shopping Centre that resembled the photo of the suspect posted online. They called police and an officer was able to locate, arrest and confirm that the man was the suspect they were looking to identify.
The arrest revealed items that led officers to believe that the mail he was stealing was being used to collect personal information. It is suspected that this information would later be used to assume identities and commit thefts and frauds, which is common with identity theft.
The suspect, a 45-year-old man from Nanaimo, has a length criminal history of similar type offences. He was later released on conditions, a court date, and recommended charges related to break and enter and possession of stolen property.
If you think you may have fallen victim to fraud, please call us at 250-475-4321. You can also find resources at the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Equifax.
Cst. Markus Anastasiades
Public Information and Communications Officer