ORILLIA OPP
********************
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), Orillia Detachment, arrested and charged two people in separate incidents involving thefts from vehicles in the City of Orillia.
On August 10, 2020, the Orillia OPP was contacted by a resident on Elmer Avenue in the City of Orillia. The victim reported that her vehicle had been entered and items had been stolen including debit and credit cards.
An investigation into the incident revealed that the cards had been used at various locations in the city. Police attended the businesses where the transactions occurred and identified the suspect at Kassandra Hart, age 34, of Orillia.
The accused was located, arrested and charged with two counts of Fraud Under $5,000, contrary to Section 380(1)(b) of the Criminal Code and was released on a Form 9 Appearance Notice with an appearance date of October 6, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Orillia.
On August 10, 2020 the Orillia OPP was notified of another car which had been entered on Brandon Crescent, in the City of Orillia, where items were stolen. Missing items included debit and credit cards which were determined to have been used by the suspect.
Police attended the businesses in which the cards were used and identified the suspect as Joseph Teschner, age 29, of Severn.
The accused has been charge with:
- Two counts of Unauthorized Use of Credit Card contrary to Section 342(1)(c) of the Criminal Code;
- Two counts of Possession of Proceeds Obtained by Crime contrary to Section 354(1)(a) of the Criminal Code;
- Theft contrary to Section 334(b) of the Criminal Code;
- Two counts of Breach of Probation contrary to Section 733.1(1) of the Criminal Code;
- Fail to Comply with Release Order contrary to Section 145(5)(a) of the Criminal Code; and
- Fail to Comply with Undertaking contrary to Section 145(5)(b) of the Criminal Code.
The accused was remanded into custody and is set to appear next, via video, on August 17, 2020 at the Ontario Court of Justice, Barrie.
Today's technology can make life easier, however technology can also cause some problems. The "tap" feature on credit and debit cards enable today's criminal easier access to your hard earned money. Thieves can now steal your card and make several purchases, that often go undetected for weeks, simply by tapping the card at locations that would not cause the banks to be suspicious.
There are ways to guard yourself from these types of thefts which include:
- Keep track of your debit and credit cards at all times. If you go out for the day only take the cards you will be using. Don't leave cards, wallets or purses unattended in your vehicle or house. Keep them in a safe spot where would be thieves cannot readily access them.
- Do not lend your cards to anyone.
- Check your bank accounts daily. This can be done through the internet or phone in service.
- Call your bank and request the tap feature to be removed or the dollar limit to be lowered.
The Orillia OPP is committed to serving our province by protecting its citizens, upholding the law and preserving public safety. If you have any information about crime in our community please contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or report minor occurrences online by visiting www.opp.ca/reporting. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit your information online at www.crimestopperssdm.com if you have any information on this crime or any other crime. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to call display and you will remain anonymous. Being anonymous, you will not testify in court and your information may lead to a cash reward of up to $2,000.00.
