Image: RCMP supplied image
Suspect Sought

Chilliwack RCMP continue to search for suspect in 2021 ATM thefts

Mar 23, 2023 | 12:49 PM

CHILLIWACK — An investigation that has been ongoing for nearly two years has yielded the recovery of a large amount of stolen cash and a number of items of high value. However a suspect in the thefts continues to roam free.

Chilliwack RCMP have released details of their investigation into the theft of cash from ATM machines in the Upper Fraser Valley region in July 2021. Surveillance video captured a woman posing as a janitor as she took large quantities of cash from different banks.

In a news release, RCMP say the investigation, which was done in partnership with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), identified suspects through a series of suspicious transactions. Investigators were led to a residence in Nanaimo.

With the support of Vancouver Island District RCMP, a search warrant was used March 8 to locate a large quantity of cash and several expensive assets in the residence. Investigators believe the assets were acquired through the proceeds of crime.

However a woman identified as a suspect, has not been found. “While this investigation continues, police have yet to identify the woman and the truck captured in the surveillance photos,” says Sergeant Krista Vrolyk, media spokesperson for the Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment.

Image: Supplied by RCMP

The woman was seen wearing a bright blue collared shirt, dark pants, a medical-style mask, latex gloves and a dark coloured ball cap. According to the surveillance footage, the female suspect is approximately 5-feet-tall and is seen carrying a backpack style vacuum cleaner. A dark coloured pick up truck is also captured by surveillance footage and is believed to be associated with the thefts.

Image: Supplied by RCMP

Anyone with information regarding the female suspect or the suspect vehicle is asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP Property Crime Unit at 604-792-4611 and reference the Chilliwack RCMP file number 2021-32517.