Man allegedly posed as police officer to get store credit at businesses in the Kootenays
Mounties in the Kootenays say a 57-year-old man has been charged with posing as a police officer "to gain tangible benefits from local businesses."
Creston resident Felix Ference allegedly visited multiple businesses in and around the city, posing as an undercover police officer, according to a news release from Creston RCMP.
"The man convinced three businesses to provide him store credit to obtain goods and never returned to pay for the items as he had initially promised," police said in their release.
"The man is also alleged to have produced a legitimate police identification card and business cards during these interactions, but he in no way works for the RCMP or any other police force."
Police said they received multiple reports about the man's behaviour on Nov. 20. Investigators identified Ference as the suspect and arrested him.
He has since been charged with three counts of "personate a peace officer," two counts of fraud under $5,000 and one count of theft under $5,000, police said, adding that he has been released from custody on several conditions.
Police said they believe Ference may have attempted to get goods or services from other businesses in the area as well. They're asking anyone who may have fallen victim to the alleged scam to contact them.
"We know it is not uncommon for small businesses to extend credit to customers in more rural areas," said Const. Brett Urano in the release.
"If you were victim to this, or someone attempted to gain store credit purporting to work with the police, we would like to hear from you."
Creston RCMP can be reached at 250-428-9313.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
What Michael Cohen said on the stand in Trump hush money case
The star prosecution witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial took the stand Monday with testimony that could help shape the outcome of the first criminal case against an American president.
Collapsed Baltimore bridge span comes down with a boom after crews set off chain of explosives
Crews conducted a controlled demolition Monday to break down the largest remaining span of the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.
Kamala Harris drops F-bomb during White House live-stream
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris used a profanity on Monday while offering advice to young Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders about how to break through barriers.
Behind the barricades: How protesters spend their first days in a new encampment
Students in Montreal describe life in a newly erected encampment in Montreal as a whirlwind of preparations, from facing rain and a potential police crackdown to setting up a space for the exchange of ideas.
Security video caught admitted serial killer disposing of bodies in Winnipeg garbage bins
Security video caught admitted serial killer Jeremy Skibicki on multiple late-night outings, disposing of body parts in nearby garbage bins and dumpsters in the middle of the night.
Next 48 hours will be 'extremely challenging' for B.C. wildfire crews near Fort Nelson: officials
A wildfire burning dangerously close to Fort Nelson, B.C., has grown to more than 50 square kilometres, and officials are warning that the blaze's behaviour is expected to become more volatile over the next 48 hours.
Southern Ont. man charged with attempted murder in Timmins shooting
One of two men wanted for attempted murder in Timmins has been arrested, while a warrant has been issued for a second suspect, who fled police on foot.