UPDATE: Surrey RCMP arrest pair with $33,000 in stolen federal benefit cheques including CERB

Surrey RCMP and the COVID-19 team have arrested two people who had various pieces of fraudulent identification and $33,000 in stolen federal government cheques including Canada Emergency Response Benefit cheques.

The COVID-19 Compliance and Enforcement Team patrol the city to ensure residents are adhering to public health and safety orders. During a patrol, members of the team noted three suspicious vehicles associated to a Cloverdale residence. The vehicles were allegedly displaying fake license plates and fake temporary operating permits.

On April 25 shortly after 9 p.m., team members attempted to stop one of the vehicles as it pulled into a driveway, but the vehicle then drove into the backyard in an attempt to evade police. The driver of the vehicle fled on foot while a female passenger was arrested without incident.

The driver, a man in his 30s, was pursued on foot and later arrested and taken into custody. 

RCMP say after further investigation, the seized cheques were not limited to Canada Emergency Response Benefits, but also included GST and income tax refunds, along with cheques issued by other organizations.

“This team was created by the Surrey RCMP in collaboration with the City of Surrey to address all aspects of public safety as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says acting community services officer, Inspector Wendy Mehat in a media release. “Not only are we looking out for safety aspects like social distancing, but keeping our eyes out for criminals who would seek to take advantage of opportunities presented by the pandemic.”

The male suspect has been remanded into custody and the female suspect was released with an appearance set for a later date. Charges have not yet been laid.

— This story was updated at 3:23 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, 2020, to clarify the stolen federal cheques were not limited to COVID-19 benefits.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Jenna Wheeler or call (250) 819-6089 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.