Surrey man arrested after RCMP seize hundreds of pieces of stolen mail
Credit to Author: Scott Brown| Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:57:58 +0000
Surrey RCMP has arrested a 29-year-old man they believe took part in a large-scale mail theft, identity theft, and fraud operation.
Michael Benjamin Stott of Surrey is facing eight charges connected to the theft of mail from community mailboxes in North Surrey on Nov. 12.
Stott was arrested Jan. 9 after police executed a search warrant at a residence in the 13000-block Balloch Drive in Surrey where the officers recovered hundreds of pieces of mail, stolen credit cards, cheques, 139 Government-issued identification cards, multiple forged identifications and counterfeit currency.
Police also seized $6,000 in cash.
“Mail thefts and identity thefts can have far-reaching impacts on the lives of victims,” said Surrey RCMP Sgt. Mike Spencer. “We hope that this significant seizure will limit further harm to the victims whose identity and credit card information was stolen.”
Police are working with Canada Post inspectors to review the stolen mail and documents. Investigators will be looking to make contact with potential victims.
Stott, who remains in custody, has been charged with three counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of break-in instruments, two counts of disguising face with intent to commit a crime and one count of theft of mail.
He is scheduled to appear in a Surrey courtroom on Feb. 3.
Michael Benjamin Stott of Surrey has been charged with three counts of break and enter, two counts of possession of break-in instruments, two counts of disguising face with intent to commit a crime and once count of theft of mail.