Woman posing as a janitor sought in ATM thefts in BC

Mounties are trying to identify a suspect wanted in relation to a series of ATM thefts across BC.

According to the Chilliwack RCMP, a woman who has been posing as a janitor is believed to be involved in the thefts, which occurred in the Upper Fraser Valley.

In July 2021, the UFVRD responded to a series of four break and enters to major financial institutions in which a woman posing as a janitor allegedly stole large quantities of cash from bank ATMs.

Surveillance video captured the suspect wearing a bright blue collared shirt, dark pants, a medical style mask, latex gloves and a dark coloured ball cap. She is about 5-feet-tall and is seen carrying a backpack-style vacuum cleaner.

A dark-coloured pick up truck is also captured on surveillance footage and is believed to be associated with the woman.

Chilliwack RCMP’s Property Crime Unit worked in close partnership with Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) to identify suspects through a number of suspicious transactions.

The multi-jurisdictional investigation led to the recent execution of a search warrant at a residence in Nanaimo. On March 8, 2023, Chilliwack RCMP and multiple Vancouver Island District RCMP agencies executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2600 block of Barnes Road.

The search warrant resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of cash and several high value assets believed to be purchased through proceeds of crime.

“While this investigation continues, police have yet to identify the woman and the truck captured in the attached surveillance photos,” says Sgt. Krista Vrolyk, media spokesperson. “Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the woman and associated vehicle involved in this crime series.”

Anyone with information regarding the suspect and/or suspect vehicle is asked to call the Chilliwack RCMP Property Crime Unit at 604-792-4611 (Reference Chilliwack RCMP 2021-32517).