Police have laid 21 fraud-related charges against an Olds man accused of defrauding area businesses for more than a year.
Stephen Winter, 39, was arrested after Olds RCMP members responded to a call on Nov. 29 from a local business about a man trying to use a stolen credit card.
Further investigation turned up documents allegedly linking Winter to other fraud offences in Olds, Bowden and Didsbury dating back to September 2012, police said.
Cpl. Shawn Morgan, an Olds RCMP spokesman, said the suspect had targeted larger chain retailers as well as smaller businesses and the majority of the frauds were purchases of more than $1,000.
The charges laid against Winter include possession of a stolen credit card, use of a forged document and fraud.
He was released from custody and his next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 16 in Didsbury provincial court.
Police said the suspect has used the alias Robert Gallaher when providing identification to victims.
Investigators suspect Winter may have committed other instances of fraud in the Olds and Didsbury area and other communities and anyone who believes he or she may have been a victim of theses frauds is asked to contact the Olds RCMP at 403-556-3324.
