Police tie organized theft ring to gym locker thefts and credit card fraud: E26-8195 / E26-8300 / E26-8306 / E26-8450/ E26-7788

Released: May 1, 2026 at 9:09 a.m.

Information contained in our media releases may relate to issues of violence or trauma, which could be distressing for some individuals. Be mindful of your well-being and consider whether or not engaging with this content is appropriate for you.

On April 23, 2026, and April 28,2026, members of the Winnipeg Police Service Property Crime Unit arrested four suspects for gym locker thefts and associated frauds, costing victims over $8,000.  

Police received multiple reports of stolen credit cards and debit cards from fitness facility lockers throughout Winnipeg. With the assistance of video surveillance, investigators determined a group of suspects were attending fitness facilities, under the pretense of becoming prospective members which provided them access to the secured locker areas.

The incidents include the following:

  • March 12, 2026: A locker was broken into and a wallet containing a credit card was stolen from a fitness facility in the 100 block of South Town Road. Several fraudulent transactions totalling approximately $1,255 were made shortly after the theft.
     
  • On March 14, 2026: A locker was broken into a wallet containing a credit and debit card was stolen from a fitness facility in the 300 block of Newmarket Boulevard. Several fraudulent transactions totalling approximately $825 were made shortly after the theft.
  • March 16, 2026: A locker was broken into and a wallet containing credit and debit cards was stolen from a fitness facility in the 300 block of Main Street. Several fraudulent transactions totalling approximately $283 were made shortly after the theft.
  • March 17, 2026: A locker was broken into and a wallet containing credit cards was stolen from a fitness facility in the 200 block of Meadowood Drive. Several fraudulent transactions were made with the stolen cards, totalling approximately $4,000.
  • March 17, 2026: Later that same day, a second locker was broken into at the same fitness facility, and a wallet containing credit cards was stolen. The stolen cards were used in several fraudulent transactions totalling approximately $1,000.
  • March 18, 2026: A locker was broken into and a wallet containing credit and debit cards was stolen from a fitness facility in the 300 block of Newmarket Boulevard. Several fraudulent transactions were made with the stolen cards, totalling approximately $900.

The Property Crime Unit identified four suspects. On April 23, 2026, three of the suspects were observed together in the 600 block of St. Anne’s Road, contrary to an Ontario court order. They were subsequently taken into custody.

A 40-year-old man, Bogdan TODICA of Scarborough, Ontario, has been charged with:

  • Fraud Under $5,000 x7
  • Unauthorized Use of Credit Card Data x7
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5,000 x7
  • Fail to Comply with Condition of Undertaking

A 39-year-old man, Gabriel Bogdan IONESCU of Scarborough, Ontario, has been charged with:

  • Break, Enter, and Commit – Place x2
  • Fail to Comply with Condition of Undertaking

A 41-year-old woman, Livia Ramona COZMA of Scarborough, Ontario, has been charged with:

  • Break, Enter, and Commit – Place x3

All three were detained in custody.

On April 28, 2026, the fourth suspect was arrested outside a residence in South Pointe.

A 52-year-old man, Orlando-Constantin VADUVA of Scarborough, Ontario, has been charged with:

  • Fraud Under $5000 x 8
  • Unauthorized Use of Credit Card x 8
  • Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 x8

He was detained in custody.

This investigation is continuing by the Property Crime Unit. Anyone with information can contact investigators at 204-986-2426 or anonymously at Crime Stoppers 204-786-TIPS or winnipegcrimestoppers.org.

Was this information helpful?

How can we make this web page better?

Information collected will be used to improve our website. Do not use this form to submit a request for service or information because it will not be forwarded to departments for response. To submit a request for service or information, contact 311.

This form is not intended to collect personal information; however, any personal information you choose to include in your comments is collected by the City of Winnipeg under the authority of section 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of improving our website and will not be used or disclosed for any other purposes, except as authorized by law. Contact the Corporate Access and Privacy Officer by mail (City Clerk’s Department, Susan A. Thompson Building, 510 Main Street, Winnipeg MB, R3B 1B9) or by telephone (311) if you have any questions about the collection of this information.