RCMP have laid five charges against a 49-year-old man and local fire chief after an investigation into tampering with Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).
On January 10, an investigation by Cumberland District RCMP alleges the fire chief of the Joggins Fire Department tampered with VINs on two different SUVs. One of the vehicles is owned by the Municipality of Cumberland County and the other is a personal vehicle. Spray paint cans and other items used to tamper with VINs were located inside one of the vehicle trunks.
Laurie Joseph Melanson of Joggins, was charged with the following:
· Tampering with Vehicle Identification Number x 2
· Possession of Property Obtained by Crime
· Breach of Trust
· Fraud
He is scheduled to appear in Amherst Provincial Court on March 19, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. to face the charges.
The investigation is ongoing.
