Advertisement

Police warning of more distraction thefts in city's west end

Police warning of more distraction thefts in city's west end

There have been so many distraction thefts in Toronto's west end that police have launched a multi-language campaign to make seniors aware of the problem.

Since police first reported the distraction thefts — crimes in which seniors' jewelry and other items are stolen while they are distracted — they say at least three more seniors have been robbed by suspects using similar techniques.

According to police, the incidents of distraction thefts include:

- On August 19, a 76-year-old woman walking in the King Street West and Close Avenue area was stopped for directions when her necklace and rings were stolen.

- On August 21, a 76-year-old man was seated on the front porch of his home in the Shaw Street and Harbord Street area when the was offered a ring and necklace by a suspect in a car. He reluctantly accepted the jewelry but then noticed his own jewelry was gone.

- On the same day, an 83-year-old woman was walking in the Foxley Street and Dovercourt Road area when she experienced a similar interaction with a woman who exited a car, offering jewelry. In this incident, the 83-year-old woman did not accept the necklace, as she had heard from neighbours in the area that people were going around trying to take real jewelry from the elderly and replace it with fake jewelry.

The suspect(s) seem to be targeting victims that speak little to no English. Police believe there may be other victims.

Crime Stoppers has produced three videos warning English-, Portuguese- and Italian-speaking seniors of the thefts.