The Thunder Bay Police Service has arrested and charged a suspect connected to an ongoing investigation of fraud against a vulnerable senior citizen.
The investigation began in December 2019 after a concerned citizen with knowledge of the victim’s circumstances came forward about suspicious activity. The victim was a 69-year-old male who was bed-ridden and non-verbal. He also had no known family connections.
An investigation by the Thunder Bay Police Service’s Crimes Against Seniors Division identified a male suspect who had been repeatedly using credit and debit cards belonging to the victim.
The total fraudulent transactions is believed to be more than $45,000.
Investigators also learned this same male was told to leave the victim’s residence in the summer of 2019. In September 2019 the suspect was found to still be inside the residence possibly through forced entry.
On the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 14 the suspect was located and arrested by members of the Thunder Bay Police Service.
Miroslav VNUCKO, 55, of Thunder Bay is charged with Fraud Over $5,000, Theft Over $5,000, and Being Unlawfully in a Dwelling.
He appeared in bail court today and was remanded into custody with a future appearance date of Friday, Jan. 17, 2020.
If you know of a vulnerable senior citizen who may have been the victim of past or ongoing fraud, please call the Thunder Bay Police Service at 684-1200. You can also submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, online at www.p3tips.com.