Police charge business owner with fraud and believe there may be additional victims

Lethbridge Police have charged a 51-year-old man in connection with a series of contract frauds and believe there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified.

In February 2022, police initiated an investigation into South City Service after receiving a complaint that a year prior a van and motorcycle had been taken in for repairs and money provided up front for parts, but the work was never completed and the vehicles had never been returned. The investigation determined both the motorcycle and van had been subsequently sold, but owner of the vehicles never signed a bill of sale or received any payment. During the course of the investigation, police identified a second incident where a truck had been taken in for service and payment provided but after several months the owner of the business refused to return it and was instead using it as a personal vehicle.

In March 2023, police identified a third incident following a report that a truck had been taken to a mechanic in January 2023 and payment for repairs was provided in advance but the work had not been done and no refund was provided.

David James Gould, 51, of Lethbridge, is charged with two counts of false pretenses over $5000, two count of fraud under $5,000, and one count each of theft over $5,000, trafficking possession of property obtained by crime, uttering a forged document, forgery and take motor vehicle without owner consent.

Gould has been released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court June 1, 2023.

Police believe there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified. Anyone who believes they have been victimized is asked to call police at 403-328-4444 and reference file 22002856.