Public Safety Alert, Distraction Thefts/Robberies targeting seniors in 31 Division

Public Safety Alert, Distraction Thefts/Robberies targeting seniors in 31 Division

Tuesday, August 21, 2018 - 9:39 AM
31 Division:  416-808-3100

The Toronto Police Service is warning the public to be vigilant following a series of Distraction Thefts targeting seniors. Some of the Distraction Thefts have escalated into Robberies.

It has been reported that:

- these have occurred within the boundaries of 31 Division: Steeles Avenue to the north, Finch Avenue to the south, Highway 400 to the west and Sentinel Road to the east

- an unknown driver and two women, in a car, have been approaching seniors on the street in residential neighbourhoods

- the two women will then place jewellery on the victim, removing the victim’s existing jewellery in the process or one woman will embrace the victim, removing their jewellery in the process

- the victim usually realizes, after the fact, that their jewellery has been stolen

- if the victim realizes their jewellery is being removed, the suspects will resort to violence, pushing the victims to the ground

- there is no consistent suspect description other than two women and a driver of a silver/grey vehicle

Similar Distraction Thefts have been taking place across the Toronto area.

The public is reminded to be vigilant for these suspects in their neighbourhoods and to report any suspicious behaviour to police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-3100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes, Google Play or Blackberry App World.

For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.

Gary Long, Corporate Communications, for Detective Constable Russell Keveza, 31 Division Major Crime