Man faces fraud charges

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This article was published 30/03/2010 (5849 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG – A father of seven whose house was destroyed in a fire earlier this month is now facing fraud charges on an unrelated matter.

Dean Haasbeek, 35, faces a charge of fraud over $5,000 in connection with alleged cases of fraud at five Winnipeg stores between September 2009 and February 2010.

Winnipeg police did not describe the methods used to defraud businesses, but investigators said about $20,000 in tools and hardware was obtained by fraudulent means at several large retail outlets.

Haasbeek’s uninsured two-storey home in the 100-block of Bannerman Avenue went up in flames on March 6. Their eldest son was involved in a dramatic rescue at the time of the blaze, leaping from a second-floor window into the arms of his father and passing police officers.

Days after the fire, family members said looters were taking items from the home’s backyard.  A trust fund was reportedly opened for the family, and a benefit dinner was held March 20.

“Winnipeggers as a whole are very extraordinary people… assisting and helping people that are in need,” said Winnipeg police spokesman Const. Jeff Norman.

“We don’t want to dissuade people from helping, but at the same token, at the end of the day, we want them to make an informed decision in regards to when they choose to assist or help.”

The cause of the fire is unknown, said Norman. Damage to the home was estimated to be about $300,000.

Haasbeek did not immediately return a call Tuesday afternoon.