Two charged in `quick change' scam

Halton Police have arrested one of two men involved in a "quick change" scam last year that saw businesses in Halton Hills and Milton shortchanged. Police report between Feb. 28 and March 28, 2006 two men entered four businesses in north Halton. Three of them were in Halton Hills-- Country Depot on Hwy. 7, M & M Meats on Guelph St. and Shopper's Drug Mart, Acton. In each instance one man approached a cashier, bought a low priced item and paid for it with a large bill. While the second man distracted other employees or customers, the first man asked the cashier to change some large bills for smaller bills. The man continuously changed his mind as to what denominations he wanted. This continued until the cashier was confused as to which funds belonged to the suspect and which belonged to the business. The two men then left the stores with a greater amount of cash than when they entered. Two of the four incidents were recorded with surveillance cameras and still photographs were obtained. After a lengthy investigation, police were able to identify one of the two suspects and believe he was involved in several similar incidents across the province. The man was arrested Tuesday, Jan. 9 and held for a bail hearing. Charged with four counts of theft under $5,000 and four counts of fraud under $5,000 is Christian David Tygesen, 39, of Hamilton. Police have not identified the second suspect.