Police knew a month ago that they’d found the people believed responsible for a series of break-ins across Waterloo Region – but now they say there was more to the case than first met the eye.

Following court appearances Wednesday, five people now face a total of 379 charges in connection with what Waterloo Regional Police investigators say is a major fraud case.

“At this point, we have 53 victims,” said Staff Sgt. Paul Lobsinger.

Police believe each of those victims had a house or vehicle broken into by the five accused sometime between April and July.

The thefts linked to this group occurred across Waterloo Region, in Guelph and as far away as Listowel and Halton Region.

Items commonly stolen included electronics and personal identification.

“They were looking for valuables, things that could be turned into cash … identification, things they could use to commit identity fraud-related offences,” said Lobsinger.

According to police, the group would then use the documents to secure loans and contracts in others’ names.

Those accused include:

  • Jeremy Hodder, 33, faces 137 charges including break and enter, identity theft, possession of identity documents, fraud, possession of stolen property, use of stolen credit card, motor vehicle theft, identity fraud and uttering forged documents
  • Shannon Fryers, 30, faces 136 charges including break and enter, identity theft, possession of identity documents, fraud, possession of stolen property, use of stolen credit card, motor vehicle theft, identity fraud and uttering forged documents.
  • Senad Haskic, 20, faces 94 charges including break and enter, identity theft, possession of identity documents, fraud, possession of stolen property, use of a stolen credit card, theft of a motor vehicle, identity fraud, driving while disqualified, theft and breach of probation.
  • Sasha Roccio, 24, faces seven charges including identity theft, possession of identity documents, use of a stolen credit card and possession of stolen property.
  • Bradley MacLellan, 35, faces five charges including break and enter, possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property and using a stolen credit card.