Seeking witnesses who donated items to victims of a fire that occurred on December 21st, 2015 on Southvale Avenue
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, June 14, 2016 4:45pm
(Ottawa) –The Ottawa Police Service East District Investigation Unit has charged 2 persons after a scam was discovered.
On December 21st, 2015, at approximately 3am, there was a residential fire on Southvale Crescent, where a family lost all of their belongings just days before Christmas. A neighbour / friend took it upon herself to collect donations for the victims of the fire. Members of the public stepped up and donated various items with the intention of helping the victims.
Not all donations were turned over to the family. The incident involving the outstanding donations was reported to the Ottawa Police Service.
Jennifer SAIKALEY, 38 years old, and Pierre SAIKALEY 44 years, both of Ottawa have been charged jointly with 3 counts of obtaining by false pretence/not exceeding $5000 and 1 count of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.
The Ottawa Police is looking for assistance in identifying anyone who provided donations, and specifically what was donated, and to whom they were dropped off to.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call Ottawa Police's call centre at 613-236-1222 ext 7300, and provide your name and list of items donated. You may provide file number 16-9498 to the call taker.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa Police app.
