Three arrested in Winnipeg on 59 charges after Edmonton credit card thefts at fitness centres
Three arrested in Winnipeg face 59 charges after an Edmonton Police probe tied them to multi-province credit card thefts at fitness centres across Canada.
Edmonton police say three people arrested in Winnipeg in April 2026 are accused of a coordinated series of credit card thefts in Edmonton and other provinces. The investigation, which began after a March 2026 report of a locker-room break-in at a local fitness facility, links the trio to at least 18 incidents in northeast Edmonton and additional incidents in Manitoba and Ontario. Police estimate the value of fraudulent purchases in Edmonton alone at more than $25,000.
Arrests made in Winnipeg after cross‑province inquiry
Police located and arrested the three suspects in Winnipeg in April 2026 following investigative leads that spanned provincial borders. The arrests culminated months of follow-up work by the Edmonton Police Service’s virtual investigation unit in collaboration with partners outside Alberta. Authorities say the operation targeted those who allegedly travelled beyond Edmonton to avoid detection.
Locker‑room thefts sparked the probe
Investigators launched the inquiry after credit cards were reported stolen during a locker-room break-in at a fitness centre in March 2026. The thefts prompted a focused effort to identify patterns and link similar reports from other jurisdictions. Detectives used transaction timelines and surveillance footage to connect the stolen cards to subsequent fraudulent purchases.
Alleged method involved three-person roles
Police allege a consistent modus operandi: two individuals were accused of committing the break-ins at fitness facilities and removing wallets and cards from unsecured lockers. A third person is accused of receiving the cards and making rapid fraudulent purchases, often immediately after obtaining them. Investigators say the quick turnover of cards and rapid transactions were used to maximize gain and reduce the chance of recovery.
Extent of incidents and financial loss in Edmonton
Edmonton investigators tied the accused to at least 18 separate occurrences in northeast neighbourhoods, with related incidents reported in Manitoba and Ontario. Edmonton Police estimate fraudulent purchases stemming from the local incidents exceeded $25,000, although officials noted that total losses across all provinces may be higher. Police continue to review financial records and merchant reports to determine the full monetary impact.
Names of the accused and charges filed
The suspects were identified by police as Livia Cozma, Orlando‑Constantin Vaduva and Bogdan Todica. The three were arrested in Winnipeg and now face a combined total of 59 charges, including multiple counts of theft of credit card, fraud under $5,000 and theft under $5,000. Crown prosecutors and local courts will determine how and where the accused will be formally arraigned and which jurisdiction will proceed first with matters related to the file.
Law enforcement cooperation and investigative next steps
Constable Binoy Prabhu of the EPS virtual investigation unit thanked the Halton Regional Police Service, Winnipeg Police Service and the Canada Border Services Agency for assistance. “This investigation illustrates our ever‑increasing capacity to work across provincial boundaries to locate and charge those who attempt to travel to other jurisdictions to evade local police and continue criminal activity elsewhere,” Cst. Prabhu said. Police indicated that further charges could be possible as investigators continue to review evidence and follow leads from merchants and witnesses.
Court scheduling and bail decisions have not been publicly detailed by police at this stage, and authorities urged anyone with information about similar thefts or related transactions to come forward. Investigators also reiterated standard safety advice for gym users: secure valuables in locked lockers, avoid leaving wallets and cards unattended, and report suspicious activity to staff and police promptly.
The Edmonton Police Service said its virtual investigation unit will remain engaged in the case while working with partner agencies to ensure all applicable charges are pursued. The arrests mark the latest in a series of coordinated law enforcement efforts aimed at disrupting multi‑jurisdictional fraud and theft networks.
