Two large Nutcracker figurines were amongst the stolen property recovered by Richmond RCMP during raids of three homes linked to a fraud and property crime ring on Saturday.
Search warrants were executed at one property in Vancouver and two in Richmond, which were linked to a “multi-jurisdictional crime group” committing frauds throughout B.C. and operating in Richmond, Mounties said in a statement.
A stolen vehicle and two stolen scooters were recovered during the raids, as well as items related to the production of fraudulent identification cards and credit cards.
“Notably, amongst the suspected stolen property recovered were two 4-ft-tall ‘Nutcracker’ figurines,” reads the statement.
Two people were arrested on outstanding warrants and three people on fraud charges. Police did not provide specifics on the outstanding warrants.
The raids were carried out by the Richmond Economic Crime Unit with the assistance of the Lower Mainland Integrated Emergency Response Team, Richmond RCMP Strike Force and Richmond Property Crime Unit.
“This was an excellent example of our investigative units working together to combat crime in Richmond,” said Richmond RCMP spokesperson Cst. Kenneth Lau in a statement.
“As a result of the efforts of the Richmond Economic Crime Unit, along with the support of other Richmond RCMP investigative units, we have disrupted a significant fraud and property crime ring operating in the city of Richmond.”
The operation closed the 12000-block of Cambie Road, between No. 5 and Jacombs roads, for a few hours on Saturday.
There was no risk to the public, Richmond RCMP told the Richmond News at the time.
Anyone with further information about this investigation or other criminal activity is asked to contact Richmond RCMP at 604-278-1212, or to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
