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A woman is facing charges after a fraud investigation at a church.
On July 10, investigators assigned to the General Investigation Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division commenced an arson investigation after a suspicious fire was lit at St. Andrews Church located at 6036 Coburg Road in Halifax. During the course of that investigation, investigators were informed that financial discrepancies were noted in the church benevolent fund. A fraud investigation was initiated and 42-year-old Tammy Marie James of Hubley was arrested on July 18. She was charged the following day with theft over $5000 and fraud over $5000 and released under a number of conditions. Losses to the church benevolent fund were found to be in excess of $400,000. Mrs. James case is currently before the courts.
The investigation into this arson, along with another arson reported on May 12, are ongoing and no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information on this arson is asked to contact police at 902-490-5016. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or texting a tip - Tip 202 + your message to 274637