Nottawasaga OPP arrested a suspect after officers say they attempted to buy a vehicle with a fake ID at a dealership in the Alliston area.
OPP were dispatched to a "fraud incident" at Ernie Dean Chevrolet Buick GMC last Friday around 3:30 p.m.
"The complainant advised police that there was an appointment set for February 10, 2025 for a male to pick up a brand new 2025 GMC Sierra pickup truck purchased over the phone worth $110,000," OPP said in a release. "The accused provided the dealership with insurance, a void cheque, and a driver's licence."
According to police, the accused told the dealership that he was the vice principal of a school in Hamilton.
"The dealership began to have suspicions after they attempted to call the school to congratulate the buyer on his new pickup truck purchase and advise that it was available for pickup, however when speaking with the believed buyer, the dealership was informed that they did not purchase a new vehicle," OPP continued.
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The dealership then reached out to OPP "as it was believed that an unknown person was using a victim's information to purchase a vehicle." Police say the suspect also recently purchased a 2024 Cadillac Escalade and a 2024 Ford F-150 using the victim's information.
"On February 10, 2025, officers, knowing that the unknown person, posing as the victim, would be attending the Ernie Dean Chevrolet Dealership to pick up a vehicle purchased, attended to arrest and charge this unknown person," police explained.
"At 2:22 p.m. officers attended the dealership and arrested a [39-year-old Ottawa man]."
He was charged with:
- Fraud Over $5000
- Identity Theft - obtain or possess another person's identity information
- Forgery- four Counts
- Personation with Intent (Identity Fraud)
The accused was held for a bail hearing.
Officers are still investigating and if anyone has information, contact Nottawasaga OPP Detachment at 1-888-310-1122, Report Number (E250156234), or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit information online at https://ontariocrimestoppers.ca/
