A Laval resident has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after prowling Quebec sports complexes to steal the personal belongings of nearly a hundred users.
Ahmed Mrouw, 32, recently admitted to stealing from more than 90 athletes between January 2022 and January 2023. He performed 35 times in 16 different cities.
His operation was very simple: he went to stadiums, games or aquatic centers and headed towards the users’ lockers. He supported those that were opened or sometimes used force to open them.
“He starts stealing all the things there: computers, clothes …,” said Crown prosecutor Mr.e François Sander.
Later, when Mru finds the car keys, he drives to the company’s parking lot to find the corresponding vehicle and steal its contents. However, he didn’t go all out with the cars.
If he finds the phone and bank cards, he can call the victims’ financial institutions and report that he has lost his personal identification number (PIN).
“He would get a new PIN, control the accounts, increase the margins of the accounts and withdraw money from nearby ATMs or shop at all kinds of stores,” said M.e Santerre.
In total, the accused admitted stealing $88,123 and embezzling $135,549.
Detailed investigation
The wide-ranging investigation began as the Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau (SPVG) was trying to clear up thefts at two of the city’s sports infrastructures in the summer of 2022. Ultimately, this required the cooperation of 15 bodies of police.
Ahmed Mrou was captured by surveillance cameras in August 2022 at a sports club in Gatineau.
Photo by SPVG
The SPVG said it seized 36 smartphones, 7 electronic tablets, car keys, credit cards and an Interac card reader during a search in January 2023.
Mroue pleaded guilty to the charge in a Gatineau court and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
He must then respect a three-year probation period during which he must refrain from visiting any sports or aquatic center in Quebec.
Vanessa Tremblay Lafond, who allegedly drove Mroue during the robberies, is still awaiting trial.
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