Manitoba RCMP released photos of three Quebec men charged with identity theft in August in effort to find out more about their movements.
The man were arrested for identity theft and other charges Aug. 6 after Norway House RCMP pulled them over and found 70 fake IDs in their vehicle.
Police were alerted about the vehicle after it went though the community’s COVID-19 checkpoint, with the occupants appearing not to know where they were going and refusing to answer multiple questions.
Officers located and stopped the vehicle and their subsequent investigation led to a search, which also turned up cash, multiple cell phones and pepper spray.
Beni Gileza, 32, of Chateauguay, is charged with 31 counts of identity theft, three counts of possessing a forged document, three counts of failing to comply with court-ordered conditions, identity fraud, possessing property obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Sekou Toure, 19, also from Chateauguay, is charged with 31 counts of identity theft, two counts of possessing a forged document, two counts of failing to comply with court-ordered conditions, identity fraud, possessing property obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
Wesnerlens Jordonne, 22, of Mercier, is charged with 31 counts of identity theft, two counts of possessing a forged document, identity fraud, possessing property obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
The trio appeared before a judge and were released with a court date of Oct. 7.
Police said in a Sept. 11 news release that the men arrived in Winnipeg on a plane from Montreal Aug 5. They rented a white Nissan Kicks SUV with Manitoba licence plates KGS 345. It is believed they travelled to Swan River, Sapotaweyak Cree Nation, Moose Lake, The Pas and Norway House, stopping at several businesses along the way to fraudulently obtain Visa prepaid cards using false identification. RCMP say there is some evidence that Gileza may have been in the Selkirk area in January 2020.
Anyone who had contact with the men or who has any information about their activities while in Manitoba is asked to report the information to their local police or to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477. Tips can also be submitted online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.
