Acting police chief Rick Johns commented on two recent successful investigations completed by the Moose Jaw Police Service that resulted in arrests.
In late March, the Moose Jaw Police Service received multiple complaints about a “grandparent scam,” including more than 30 complaints in a single day.
The scam involves a caller pretending to be a grandchild or family member who has been arrested or is in danger, claiming they need money. The caller says a lawyer, police officer or judge will contact the victim.
A second call follows, impersonating a lawyer, officer or judge who asks the victim to withdraw a large amount of cash and wait for further instructions.
An investigation by the Moose Jaw Police Service led to the arrest of Veronique Charpentier, 44, of Montreal, Que., in early April.
“Our Criminal Investigations Division did an excellent job conducting an investigation on that, and they laid a number of charges related to people here in Moose Jaw who were victimized. This seemed to balloon into other cities. We were able to connect with other cities where these scams were occurring and connect with Saskatoon and Regina. They also laid a number of charges as well,” Johns said.
Charpentier was charged by the Moose Jaw Police Service with multiple counts of fraud over $5,000. She is the second person the MJPS has arrested since 2024 in connection with grandparent scams.
Johns praised his officers, noting that it is difficult to lay charges in such cases when the perpetrator is a faceless person on the phone or internet.
Johns also spoke about an armed robbery that took place in the 1200 block of Main Street North on March 31.
The investigation resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for Kelsay Ingliss, who was located and arrested by the Moose Jaw Police Service on April 5.
“Between our Patrol Division and our Criminal Investigations Division, we were able to locate the accused and arrest and lay charges in relation to an armed robbery using a firearm to commit an offence, and wearing a mask to commit an offence. That person will be appearing before the court,” Johns said.
Ingliss made his first appearance in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on April 7.