A 24-year-old Sarnia woman has been sentenced to five months of house arrest after attempting to purchase a $100,000 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali using fraudulent documents. Victoria Lewicki pleaded guilty to fraud and uttering a forged document after trying to buy the vehicle from Park Lane Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC on January 25, 2024.
Lewicki’s lawyer, Terry Brandon, told Justice Brian Weagant that her client had borderline personality disorder and was influenced by ‘unsavoury individuals.’ Brandon stated that Lewicki wasn’t the mastermind behind the fraud, but had chosen to participate. Weagant acknowledged that Lewicki had turned her life around since the offense.
The court heard that Lewicki presented a driver’s license, BMO personal cheque, and credit card, all in another person’s name, for the financing credit check and purchase agreement. When she returned to the dealership to collect the truck, she was arrested by Sarnia police, who had been alerted after dealership staff became suspicious of the documents’ authenticity.
Upon arrest, police seized various forms of fraudulent identification and a small quantity of suspected cocaine. Lewicki was initially charged with multiple counts, including fraud worth more than $5,000, identity fraud, and drug possession. However, most charges were dropped after she pleaded guilty to the primary offenses.
Assistant Crown attorney Sarah Carmody described the fraud as significant, noting the community’s concern about vehicle theft. Brandon attributed Lewicki’s actions to addiction issues, stating that she had since maintained a clean lifestyle and distanced herself from previous associates.
In court, Lewicki apologized for her actions, expressing remorse and stating that she had significantly changed her life since committing the offense. Weagant encouraged her to continue on this path, and the house arrest order included a ban on recreational drugs and alcohol.
The case highlights the ongoing concerns about vehicle theft in the community, with authorities considering amendments to the Criminal Code to address the issue more effectively.
