Public Safety Alert, Distraction theft targeting Chinese female senior, Gerrard Street East and Logan Avenue area
Monday, November 30, 2015 - 10:22 AM
55 Division: 416-808-5500
Police would like to make the public aware of a distraction theft that targeted a Chinese female senior.
It is reported that:
-on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 2:30 p.m., a Chinese female senior was approached on foot by three unknown women in the Gerrard Street East and Logan Avenue area.
- the three women engaged the senior woman in conversation in Cantonese
- they discussed various health ailments, and encouraged the senior woman to tell them about some of her ailments
- once she did so, the woman was convinced that her ailments were as of a result of a curse, and that she should see a "doctor" who could bless her and remove this curse
- as instructed, the senior woman then went to her home and returned to the area with a large sum of money, as well as gold coins and jewelry
- she then handed over the valuables to one of the unknown women who had waited in the area, and was advised to wait while they took the valuables to be blessed
- the unknown woman returned a short time after and handed the bag back to the woman, advising her not to look in the bag for a number of days or the items would lose their blessing
- the senior woman took her bag and walked away from the unknown woman
- she became suspicious and decided to look in her bag
- she discovered that all of her valuables were gone and had been replaced by fruit
- the unknown women were no longer in the area
The female suspects are described as:
- Asian, mid 40s, wearing a long red coat, jeans and a hat,
- Asian, mid 40s, wearing a short red coat,
- Asian, no further description.
Investigators believe that there may be other victims and are urging them to contact police. We would like to remind members of the public that the Toronto Police Service has translators available through the 9-1-1 emergency system, 24 hours day, seven days a week. Police appeal to citizens who have been victimised by these types of crimes to report them to police.
We ask people to educate their family members, especially those who do not speak English and are seniors, and make them aware of this type of crime. We also ask you, if you come in contact with anyone you believe is committing these crimes, to try to take down their licence plates, descriptions and to call police immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.
Constable Allyson Douglas-Cook, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Kurt Lindell, 55 Division
Monday, November 30, 2015 - 10:22 AM
55 Division: 416-808-5500
Police would like to make the public aware of a distraction theft that targeted a Chinese female senior.
It is reported that:
-on Saturday, November 28, 2015, at 2:30 p.m., a Chinese female senior was approached on foot by three unknown women in the Gerrard Street East and Logan Avenue area.
- the three women engaged the senior woman in conversation in Cantonese
- they discussed various health ailments, and encouraged the senior woman to tell them about some of her ailments
- once she did so, the woman was convinced that her ailments were as of a result of a curse, and that she should see a "doctor" who could bless her and remove this curse
- as instructed, the senior woman then went to her home and returned to the area with a large sum of money, as well as gold coins and jewelry
- she then handed over the valuables to one of the unknown women who had waited in the area, and was advised to wait while they took the valuables to be blessed
- the unknown woman returned a short time after and handed the bag back to the woman, advising her not to look in the bag for a number of days or the items would lose their blessing
- the senior woman took her bag and walked away from the unknown woman
- she became suspicious and decided to look in her bag
- she discovered that all of her valuables were gone and had been replaced by fruit
- the unknown women were no longer in the area
The female suspects are described as:
- Asian, mid 40s, wearing a long red coat, jeans and a hat,
- Asian, mid 40s, wearing a short red coat,
- Asian, no further description.
Investigators believe that there may be other victims and are urging them to contact police. We would like to remind members of the public that the Toronto Police Service has translators available through the 9-1-1 emergency system, 24 hours day, seven days a week. Police appeal to citizens who have been victimised by these types of crimes to report them to police.
We ask people to educate their family members, especially those who do not speak English and are seniors, and make them aware of this type of crime. We also ask you, if you come in contact with anyone you believe is committing these crimes, to try to take down their licence plates, descriptions and to call police immediately.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5500, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.
Please download the Toronto Police Service Mobile App for iOS or Android.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.
Constable Allyson Douglas-Cook, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Kurt Lindell, 55 Division
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