Public Safety Alert, Distraction Thefts

Public Safety Alert, Distraction Thefts

Tuesday, July 23, 2019 - 4:00 PM
42 Division:  416-808-4200

The Toronto Police Service would like to make the public aware of a series of distraction thefts that are taking place throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

It is reported that:

- a group of men and women are travelling around in a vehicle

- in groups of three or more, they approach people and advise they are looking for a hospital

- they ask for directions, gas money or for the blessing of a loved one who is sick

- the group then place a piece of fake jewelry around the person's neck in gratitude

- at this time, they then remove the person's personal jewelry

- usually the woman make the initial contact, while the man waits in a vehicle nearby. The woman become very hands-on and aggressive.

The women are described as having olive complexions and wearing head scarves.
The have been targeting elderly women and use vehicles with both Ontario and Quebec license plates.

The public is asked to be aware of any suspicious vehicles or suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-4200, 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.

Constable Jenifferjit Sidhu, Corporate Communications, for Detective Sergeant Rita Morehouse, 42 Division

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