Merchants in the Lakeshore Blvd. W. area are being warned of thieves trying to use stolen credit cards to purchase goods or obtain cash in small mom and pop stores.

Halton Regional Police say the cards were stolen on January 6 about 4:30 a.m. during multiple thefts from unlocked vehicles in the area of Melvin Avenue and Chartwell Road in Oakville.

“During one theft a wallet containing bank cards was stolen,” police said in a release. “ The stolen bank cards were utilized to make fraudulent purchases a short time later at several convenience stores along Lakeshore Boulevard West in Etobicoke.”

Detectives have released photos of some of the suspects involved.

One man is described as wearing glasses, a blue and black winter jacket with a black hoodie underneath (pulled up), black pants and black and white shoes. The suspect was wearing a black mask.

Another man was wearing a black-hooded jacket, black pants and black shoes.  The suspect was wearing a black mask or balaclava under his hoodie.

The suspects may be associated to a stolen black 2017 Volvo CX90 with Ontario licence plate PHENIX88, according to police.  They believe the vehicle may have also used in the armed robbery of a Circle K convenience store in Milton.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact the Halton Police 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 905-825-4777 ext. 2416.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers. “See something? Hear something? Know something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.