Ottawa man's identity theft crimes end in capture at Ernie Dean's in Alliston

Posted February 11, 2025​

 

An Ottawa man attending a local GMC dealership to close a sale on a new vehicle yesterday afternoon was walked out instead under arrest by Nottawasaga OPP lying in wait for his appointment.

 

Ernie Dean Chevrolet Buick GMC made a conditional deal over the phone to sell a $110,000, 2025 GMC Sierra truck to someone who identified themselves as a vice-principal in Hamilton. The accused provided the dealership with insurance, a void cheque, and a driver licence.

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"The dealership began to have suspicions after they attempted to call the school to congratulate the buyer on his new pickup truck purchase and advise that it was available for pickup," according to OPP, "however when speaking with the believed buyer, the dealership was informed that they did not purchase a new vehicle ... that an unknown person was using the victim's information to purchase a vehicle."

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On February 7, at approximately 3:34 pm, Ernie Dean alerted police of the alleged fraud and the suspect was expected there on Feb. 10 approximately 2 pm, to take delivery.

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"Officers, knowing that the unknown person, posing as the victim, would be attending the Ernie Dean Chevrolet Dealership to pick up a vehicle purchased, attended to arrest and charge this unknown person."

 

Further investigation found the suspect made two separate purchases of a 2024 Cadillac Escalade and a 2024 Ford F-150 using the victim's information in Warwick and Niagara Falls.

 

Pasquale Fonzo, 39, of Ottawa is charged with:

• Fraud Over $5,000

• Identity Theft - obtain or possess another person's identity information

• Forgery- four Counts

• Personation with Intent (Identity Fraud)

 

The accused was held for a bail hearing.​​​​

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