Drugs, firearms, fraud: WRPS arrest three in ongoing investigation

Three people have been arrested and charged by Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) as part of an ongoing fraud investigation.

The investigation began when the Direct Action Response Team (DART) launched a traffic stop on Mar. 27 in the area of Kingsway Drive.

Officers arrested and charged a 31-year-old Hamilton man with the following:

• Five counts of possession of government identification;
• Five counts of possession of forged documents;
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000; and
• Possession of a stolen credit card.

The investigation continued leading police to search a residence in the area of Fourth Avenue on May 22. At the home, officers located and seized suspected drugs, including methamphetamine and hydromorphone, as well as a firearm.

Police have arrested and charged a 44-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman, both from Kitchener with a list of charges, including:

• Careless storage of a firearm;
• Unauthorized possession of a firearm;
• Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized;
• Possession of weapon for dangerous purpose;
• Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device;
• Possession of a prohibited device knowing its possession is authorized;
• Possession of suspected methamphetamine; and
• Possession of suspected hydromorphone.

The 44-year-old man is facing an additional 16 offenses, which include:

• Five counts of possession of government identification;
• Five counts of possession of forged document;
• Possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000;
• Possession of a stolen credit card;
• Identity theft;
• Identity fraud; and
• Two counts of failure to comply with undertaking.

All accused parties were held in police custody for a bail hearing. The investigation remains ongoing through WRPS.