Calgary police arrest two, lay charges for defrauding multiple Costco store locations
District 6 patrol members have arrested a man and a woman after receiving reports that several Costco store locations were defrauded of more than $30,000 over a period of approximately three months.On Friday, April 24, police were contacted after reports of an unknown woman was suspected of making a series of fraudulent purchases at multiple Costco stores in Calgary and the surrounding area.Police began investigating and determined that between Thursday, April 9 and Tuesday, June 30 the woman had repeatedly used fraudulent or altered UPC codes assigned to lower cost items to obtain high-value electronics including desktop computers, TVs, gaming consoles and sound equipment.It is believed an unknown man also participated in making fraudulent transactions with the woman.On Saturday, Aug. 1, police executed a search warrant in the 0 to 100 block of Cornerbrook Manor N.E., and both suspects were arrested and the following items were seized 302.4 grams of suspected methamphetamine with a street value of $6,048, Digital scales and packaging materials consistent with drug trafficking, Multiple instruments used for forgery and fraud, including:, Credit card manufacturing equipment, Credit card scanners, Card skimming devices, Credit cards that appeared to have been altered. Police recovered 31 credit cards, A stolen 65-inch Samsung television, Two receipt printing machines and Various other items believed to be stolen and false identification documents. As a result, Kristie Marie Constantinoff, 41, is facing 70 charges, and Aaron Lee Head, 39, is facing 119 charges.They are each charged with 12 counts of possession of identity documents, 31 counts of possession of stolen credit cards, nine counts of possession of property obtained by crime, two counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking, one count of possession of instruments for copying credit card data or forging and falsifying credit cards and one count of possession of stolen property.Constantinoff is scheduled to next appear in court on Friday, Sept. 11.HEAD is scheduled to next appear in court on Wednesday, Aug. 26.“This investigation demonstrates the significant impact that fraud can have on individuals and businesses in our community,” says District 6 Inspector Scott Neilson of the Calgary Police Service. “Fraud offences are often complex and can involve numerous victims and substantial financial losses, and we want to thank the affected businesses for coming forward. We want to remind Calgarians to remain vigilant, protect their personal information and report suspicious activity to police.”
