Windsor police are looking into at least three incidents in which a victim reported having property stolen following a distraction-type encounter.
The crime generally involves somebody drawing the victim's attention elsewhere, then quickly stealing something from the victim. The perpetrator will engage the victim in conversation, such as asking for directions. The suspect will give thanks by offering them a cheap piece of jewelry, then removing authentic jewelry from the victim and leaving the scene before the victim realizes what's happened.
According to Sergeant Steve Betteridge, three incidents were reported on Monday. All three involved different vehicle descriptions and different physical suspect descriptions. But in each case, there was a male driver and two female passengers.
The first incident took place around 11 a.m. Monday. The victim had been walking in the area of Osaka Circle near Ducharme Street in south Windsor. The second took place about 45 minutes later in the area of McKay Avenue and Curry Avenue. The third occurrence happened around 12:50 p.m. on Belle Isle View Boulevard north of Tranby Avenue in Riverside.
Police want to remind residents to be on guard at all times.
"The elderly and vulnerable populations are often the targets. Please remind your loved ones about these types of thefts," said Betteridge. "Distraction thieves commonly work in teams, are well-dressed and well-spoken, so as not to draw attention to themselves, and work in a way to gain a victim's trust."
Anyone who may have been a victim of this crime is encouraged to call Windsor police. Descriptions of the vehicle and a licence plate number are helpful to police as they try to locate the suspects.
Also, residents who may have seen anything unusual in these three areas should call Windsor police at (519) 255-6700, ext. 4350. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (519) 258-TIPS (8477).
