Kingston Police are searching for a suspect of fraud who was caught on camera in Ottawa collecting money sent from Kingston.

Local police said that on Dec. 12, 2018, a woman received a phone call from a man posing as her son. The man was crying hysterically and told her that he was being arrested for hitting a young girl while driving. Another man then came on the phone claiming to be a lawyer representing her son. The lawyer stated there was a gag order in place and warned the woman not to speak to anyone about the arrest.

The woman was told to transfer $6,000 to an account and that once the money was received, her son would be transferred to Kingston. The woman sent the money, then received a second call claiming another $4,000 needed to be sent due to the severity of the girl’s injuries.

Police were able to find a surveillance photo of the man they say was involved in the fraud. The photos show the man collecting money at the TD Bank at 562 Montreal St., in Ottawa on Dec. 12.

Anyone with information or who recognizes the man is asked to contact Det. Dave Wein at 613-549-4660, ext. 6198, or via email at dwein@kingstonpolice.ca.

Tips can be provided anonymously by calling the police’s general number, 613-549-4660, ext. 0, and asking to be anonymous or by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

Grocery store manager defrauds company of more than $36,000

A manager of a local grocery store has been charged by police with defrauding his employer of more than $36,000.

Kingston Police said in a news release that the fraud was reported to them by the company on Aug. 14, 2018. The company had determined that one of its Kingston managers had defrauded it of more than $36,000.

The man had worked as a manager at the company’s stores in Whitby and Kingston from August 2017 to August 2018. Police say the man had committed various fraudulent acts, including making refunds on his personal debit and credit cards and shorting cash deposits.

The man turned himself in to police on Wednesday.

A 29-year-old Belleville man was charged by police with fraud over $5,000.

Kingston man facing child pornography charges

Kingston Police have charged a local man with child pornography-related offences as part of an ongoing investigation.

The investigation by the force’s internet child exploitation unit detects and monitors file-sharing networks that are often used by individuals to share child pornography.

On Nov. 17, 2018, police identified more than 300 files suspected to be child pornography on a computer connected to one of the file-sharing networks. Police obtained a production order for the internet subscriber information, and the IP address provided linked to a man in Kingston.

On Wednesday at about 6:20 a.m., police executed a search warrant at the man’s residence north of Highway 401. An initial examination of digital devices revealed evidence of files that investigators believe meet the Criminal Code definition of child pornography.

The accused was arrested at the residence and transported to police headquarters, where he was held to attend a bail hearing.

A 28-year-old local man was charged with possession of child pornography.

Couple both charged after fight over marijuana

A couple were both charged by police after officers were called to a fight over marijuana on Wednesday afternoon.

At about 3:15 p.m., Kingston Police officers were called to a midtown apartment for an altercation between a man and a woman. When officers arrived, they found the man hugging a dog while the woman was yelling at him. That’s when the officers learned the altercation was over marijuana.

The officers were shown a video of the man running from an apartment with his dog while the woman chased and tackled him. The woman is then seen kicking the man repeatedly until he gets to his feet and punches the woman.

Both were arrested and taken to police headquarters. A 24-year-old local man and a 20-year-old local woman were both charged by police with assault.

Argument over finances leads to assault charges

An argument over finances that escalated to violence led to police charging a local man with assault on Wednesday morning.

Kingston Police said the argument escalated when a woman confronted a man over his pill use. When the woman tried to call 911, the man grabbed her, ripped her clothing and threw her to the floor.

The man then held the woman down with his arm over her neck. When the woman’s son and daughter, both under 12 years old, tried to intervene, the man hit and pushed them to the floor. When the boy got back up, he ran to his room and called 911.

When police officers arrived the man was still belligerent and appeared to be intoxicated by an unknown drug. He was taken to hospital, and once medically cleared, transported to police headquarters where he was held to attend a bail hearing the following day.

A 30-year-old local man was charged by police with three counts of assault.

Victims of domestic violence or sexual assault and witnesses are encouraged by Kingston Police to contact them. The following links also offer support services and resources in the Kingston area for victims of domestic and/or sexual violence:

• Kingston Police: (613-549-4660) www.kingstonpolice.ca

• Kingston Police Path of Strength Smartphone App: www.kingstonpolice.ca/about-us/sections-and-units/sexual-assault-child-abuse-and-victim-services/

• Kingston Interval House: www.kingstonintervalhouse.com

• Kingston Sexual Assault Centre: www.sackingston.com

• Resolve Counselling Services Canada: www.resolvecounselling.org

• Kingston Frontenac Anti-violence Co-ordinating Committee (KFACC): www.kfacc.org

• Victim Services of Kingston and Frontenac: (613-548-4834) www.victimservicesontario.ca

• Addiction and Mental Health Services-Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington: www.amhs-kfla.ca/

• Ministry of the Attorney General-Violence in the Family: www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/violence.php

• Ministry of the Attorney General-Victim Services Directory: www.services.findhelp.ca/ovss/

• Ontario Network of Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Treatment Centres: www.sadvtreatmentcentres.ca