Vehicle Theft

On December 10, 2022, Officers received a call to attend the area of Alfred St and Walnut St, in the Municipality of Port Hope for a Dodge Ram pickup truck idling for approximately 20 min. Once on scene, Officers observed the vehicle running with a male driver leaned back in the driver’s seat asleep. The Officer observed that the lower dash below the steering wheel had been pulled off and in the lower right corner of the driver’s window a small hole was drilled cracking a small portion of the window right next to the door lock. 

Upon waking the male driver, he was originally identified himself as Samuel Bristol and advised that he does not have a driver’s license. After further investigation and based on the lack of the male’s ability to provide any kind of identification, ownership, insurance, key to the pickup, or details surrounding the cars registered owner, the male was subsequently arrested for possession of stolen property obtained by crime. 

The registered owner of the vehicle was contacted through a phone number located in the vehicle.  The owner confirmed that the vehicle was stolen from on York Region.

The accused was brought to Port Hope Police Station and after further investigation he provided a photo of his Quebec Driver’s License on his cellphone bearing the name Ricardo Merone which was confirmed using police records. Merone was charged with:

Possession Property Obtained by Crime Over $5,000 - in Canada

Obstruct Peace Officer

Fail to Comply with Probation Order

Fail to Comply with Probation Order (Quebec)

Failure to comply with undertaking (Quebec)

Ricardo Merone was released on an officer in charge undertaking with conditions.

Fraud

On December 9, 2022 Officers were contacted by a Port Hope resident who was at home working on her computer when a pop-up screen appeared, stating that her computer was compromised and top contact Apple security at 650-409-8545. The victim phoned the number and was directed to install a program on her computer called “Anydesk”. After installation, the scammer could view the victim’s computer and was told there was a problem with her Visa card. The victim was asked to give personal information to which they partially complied with.

The scammer gained the victims trust throughout the call and after being directed to download an app called “Chivo Wallet” to their phone, the victim was convinced to transfer small amounts to the scammer totaling just under $1000.

Port Hope Police are reminding people to please be diligent and never give out any personal information or send funds to unknown persons or companies. If you are questioning if you could be a potential scam victim, please call Port Hope Police 24/7 at 905-885-8123 x3 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222 TIPS (8477) or email phps@phps.on.ca.

Don’t become a victim of a fraud.