REGINA – A housekeeper cleaned more than just floors recently, instead focusing on people's bank accounts.
Police became aware of an initial theft in August of last year, when a Regina senior noticed suspicious activity o her credit card.
"The elderly victim told police that she was getting ready for a lunch outing when she noticed several pieces of her jewellery were missing," said RPS in a media release. "When she went to pay for her meal, she discovered her credit card was also missing. The victim called the credit card company to report it missing and was made aware of several fraudulent charges on the card from earlier in the week."
The person suspected of the thefts was working as a cleaner for the victim at the time, as well as for other residents in a senior's apartment complex.
Another incident occurred on Feb. 2 when the victim noticed a missing credit card, several fraudulent transactions were noted on when this second victim checked her bank statement that month.
A third victim also had the accused working as a care aide in her home. Again, this victim's February bank statement noted multiple fraudulent charges, happening over the previous 30 days.
"Over the course of several weeks, investigators worked to determine the circumstances of these three occurrences and gather evidence which resulted in the suspect's arrest on April 4," RPS said.
Patricia Bazniak, 51, was charged with four counts theft of a credit card; two counts each theft over $5,000; and single counts possession of a credit card, theft under $5,000, and fraud under $5,000.
Her first court appearance on these charges will be on May 29 in Regina Provincial Court.
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