GTA mustard bandits accused of stealing $28K from elderly victims

WATCH ABOVE: Three men from Chile allegedly squirted mustard on victims to distract them from being robbed. Marianne Dimain reports.

TORONTO — Toronto police have arrested three men accused of stealing thousands of dollars from more than a dozen victims — their weapon of choice? Mustard.

“The mustard was used during the course of a distraction robbery with unsuspecting elderly victims,” said Det. Ken Lee with the Toronto Police Service.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The mustard was used during the course of a distraction robbery with unsuspecting elderly victims," said Det. Ken Lee with the Toronto Police Service.

The three men in their 60s allegedly planned out the thefts: one man would follow a victim into a bank, another would wait outside and cover them with mustard when the victim had completed their banking. When the person was caught off-guard the third man would offer assistance, and swipe the cash.

In all, $28,000 was stolen from 14 victims in the GTA. One victim had $5,000 in cash taken from them. The thefts occurred in the GTA between February and May, and police believe there may be more victims.

The men were finally caught Wednesday outside of a Royal Bank at the Shops at Don Mills as they allegedly attempted to rob a man in his 80s.

The three accused are visitors from Chile. No word yet on if these charges will get them booted out of Canada.

“They all came to Canada sometime in January as visitors,” said Lee. “They’ll be facing 10 counts each of robbery, four counts mischief and one count of theft.”

The suspects were due to appear in court Thursday.

With files from Marianne Dimain