SUDBURY -- Following a lengthy investigation, the James Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police have charged four people with fraud involving more than $200,000 taken from two churches.

The investigation began in October of 2018 when a member of the diocese reported unauthorized transactions at a church on Cedar Street in Kapuskasing and at a church on 5th Street in Cochrane.

"An internal audit was completed and between the two churches, over $200,000 was illegally used in numerous unauthorized transactions," police said in a news release.

Subsequently four people were arrested and charged. A 66 year old and a 58 year old are charged with fraud over $5,000 and criminal breach of trust. A 59 year old and a 65 year old are charged with fraud over $5,000

The accused are scheduled to appear before the Ontario Court of Justice in Kapuskasing on Oct. 5.