A 27-year-old Toronto man has been charged with fraud after police say a woman was sold fake tickets to one of the Tragically Hip’s final concerts.
Durham Regional police said a women came forward on Wednesday to report she had been sold counterfeit tickets to one of the band’s last performances on August 12 in Toronto.
The Kingston, Ont. rock band announced its farewell tour in May, after it was revealed that frontman Gord Downie has terminal brain cancer.
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The woman told police she met the seller in Scarborough to pay for and pick up the tickets, but after buying them she noticed the ad for the tickets remained on the website Kijiji.
Police said the woman then contacted the seller with a different name and he allegedly provided pictures of the tickets with the same section, row and seat numbers as the tickets she had bought.
Officers set up a meeting with the seller and police said the suspect fled the scene before he was arrested after a brief struggle.
READ MORE: Ontario attorney general may investigate sales of Tragically Hip tickets
Coleman Ward has been charged with fraud under $5,000, escaping custody, resisting arrest and possession of the proceeds of crime. Police said he was held for a bail hearing.
Investigators are asking anyone who believes they may have purchased fraudulent tickets to this show from the suspect to contact their local police department.
Anonymous information can be sent to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at http://www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.