A 34-year-old man arrested for an alleged assault in Ontario’s Niagara Region this April was found to be in possession of what’s believed to be a stolen banknote collection.
Officers with the Welland department of the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) are now investigating the ownership of the seized collection, which includes a $1 centennial note issued Jan. 3, 1967, to mark the 100th anniversary of Canadian Confederation.
“There were 46 notes recovered of various denominations and years,” NRPS Constable Philip Gavin told CCN. “The face value of the collective notes is $238. The collector value has not been determined.”
Police are “holding back on specific details of the bills as this is information that the investigators will use to assist in determining the owner,” Gavin added.
The man, who was not named, is “known to the NRPS and has ties around the Niagara Region,” according to a statement issued by police on April 27. He was arrested in Pelham, Ont., about 20 kilometres west of Niagara Falls.
“While he was arrested in Pelham he has lived and had contacts with us in different Niagara communities,” Gavin told CCN.
“Members of the public who may be collectors of vintage Canadian currency are asked to check the status of their collections.”
Anyone with information about the ownership of the collection is asked to contact Detective Constable Kelly Gerrie at kelly.gerrie@niagarapolice.ca or 905-688-4111 (extension 9219).