Owen Sound police have charged a woman for allegedly falsely claiming to raise funds for the family of Sharif Rahman, a downtown restaurant owner who was the victim of a homicide last month.
Police say, on Wednesday Sept 20th, they were contacted by numerous downtown businesses about a woman who was going store to store attempting to procure cash donations.
City police say she claimed to be acting as an employee of the City of Owen Sound and was requesting cash donations to benefit the Rahman family.
44-year-old Rahman died August 24th, after being assaulted outside his restaurant, The Curry House on August 17th. Police continue to look for three suspects who fled the scene.
Police say in a release, “Thanks in large part to the cooperation of several business owners, police were able to secure
evidence and identify the female responsible for this fraud.”
They say she was quickly located by police in the downtown area and arrested.
They say in addition to having received cash fraudulently, she was also found in possession of a significant quantity of stolen property from a city grocery store.
According to Owen Sound police, they had warrants for her arrest and so did Grey Bruce and Huron County OPP.
The 42 -year-old woman of no fixed address, was charged with fraud, false pretenses, theft and possession of property obtained by crime.
She is scheduled to appear at the Ontario Court of Justice to answer to these, and other charges in October.
Police are requesting any business owner, employee and/or citizen who was approached to donate funds to benefit Sharif Rahman, on September 20, 2023 in the downtown area, regardless of whether any money was provided, to contact the investigating officer Constable Josh Gurney at 519-376-1234 X 174 or by e-mail at jgurney@owensoundpolice.com.