Distraction Theft

• VPD say nearly $150K lost in 70 distraction thefts this year alone

  Vancouver police say they've received almost 70 reports of distraction thefts this year alone, with losses to victims amounting to $150,000.

  Crime

  Jun 5
  
• ‘How can she trust another stranger?’ Distraction theft shatters B.C. grandmother

  Farhan Hamid said his grandmother Bibi was targeted by distraction thieves on Monday evening, who made off with an irreplaceable piece of jewelry.

  Crime

  May 15
  
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• Peterborough police arrest 1 in ‘distraction theft’ of $20K in golf merchandise

  Police say three suspects were involved in a distraction theft on May 7 that led to $20,000 in merchandise being stolen. One suspect was located on May 13.

  Crime

  May 14, 2024
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• Peterborough police seek suspects in distraction thefts at north end businesses

  Peterborough police say in one incident, a man and a woman approached a senior at a business, engaged in a short conversation, and then stole the woman's wallet from her purse.

  Crime

  Apr 2, 2024
• Suspects asked victim for help before stealing bank card in Pickering, police say

  Police are looking for two men who officers say asked a 72-year-old woman for help before stealing her bank card in Pickering last month.

  Crime

  Mar 25, 2024
• Kingston police release photos of suspects in distraction thefts

  Suspects are part of a network of scam artists and thieves operating in the city, police say

  Crime

  Feb 26, 2024
• 2 arrested, 1 sought following distraction theft at Cobourg business: police

  Cobourg police released a surveillance image of a person they're still seeking after they say a woman's wallet was stolen during a 'distraction theft' last week.

  Crime

  Jan 23, 2024
• 10- to 12-year-old boy a decoy in distraction-style break-in: York police

  A 10- to 12-year-old boy was a decoy in a distraction-style break-in on Wednesday in Markham, police say, prompting a search for suspects and a warning to the community.

  Crime

  Dec 14, 2023
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• Cobourg police warn of distraction theft after senior’s wallet swiped at store

  Police say three people recently targeted an 89-year-old woman and stole her wallet while pretending to help her shop at a store.

  Crime

  Dec 1, 2023
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• 77-year-old man dragged alongside moving vehicle in Vaughan robbery: police

  Two people have been charged after a series of distraction-style thefts in Vaughan, including one in which a 77-year-old victim was dragged alongside a moving vehicle, police say.

  Crime

  Jun 9, 2023