They seem friendly, but their motives are not.
They might act like they’re lost, looking for a nice person to ask for directions. Or, they may just come off as a cheerful individual making small talk in a parking lot with someone they don’t know.
No matter the trickery involved, those whom police refer to as distraction thieves typically work in pairs. They have bad intentions and act quickly to identify and rob their victims – sometimes arriving by car, other times on foot.
Peel Regional Police report that distraction thefts have surged significantly in Mississauga and Brampton over the last couple of years – jumping from 25 reported cases in 2024 to 222 reported incidents in 2025.
This year alone, there have been 266 such thefts reported to authorities in Peel’s two major cities.
Police allocate more resources
The sharp increase in distraction thefts has led Peel police to allocate additional resources and officers toward addressing this issue.
Investigators also mention they’re exploring potential connections between incidents in Peel and similar crimes occurring elsewhere in Ontario.
Distraction thefts mainly target older individuals and are reportedly rising across the province, according to police from various municipalities.
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“Police services throughout Ontario have experienced an uptick in these distraction-style thefts,” Guelph Police stated this week. “Typically, older adults find themselves approached by people in a vehicle who engage them in conversation. During this time, a female passenger may try to initiate physical contact by hugging or attempting to place jewelry on the victim. Afterwards, the victim realizes their jewelry is missing.”
The Guelph Police added that the offenders “may come off as friendly or articulate and often try to keep things moving quickly so that the victim doesn’t react.”
Crooks take advantage when victims are distracted
The thieves usually approach their targets at moments when their attention is divided – like grocery store or mall parking lots, sidewalks or near store entrances while entering or exiting vehicles or carrying groceries or other items.
Peel police observed that culprits also engage their victims by asking for directions, offering gifts or trying to start other kinds of conversations.
An incident that occurred in Brampton on July 28 involved an elderly woman who was walking around Chinguacousy Road and Sandalwood Parkway West when she was approached by two women driving a white SUV.
“One of the women got out of the vehicle, touched the victim’s feet and hugged her,” police explained. “During this encounter, the suspect swapped out the victim’s gold necklace with a metal one and removed three gold bangles from her wrists.”
The victim ended up losing about $19,000 worth of jewelry due to this theft, according to police reports.
“Distraction thefts involve one or more individuals creating a diversion while taking personal belongings from a victim,” Peel police previously stated. “Older adults are often targeted when alone outside their homes or within public areas. Most incidents occur during daylight hours. Suspects may approach victims under pretexts like asking for directions or offering gifts.”
Thefts can happen “in just seconds”
Both Peel and Guelph police remind everyone to stay alert about their surroundings; be cautious if approached by strangers; avoid unwanted physical contact; report any suspicious behavior right away; and if possible provide descriptions of suspects and vehicles involved.
Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews mentioned that distraction thefts “can happen within seconds. Suspects often rely on appearing friendly or helpful so they can gain trust from their victims.”
This public advisory from Guelph Police followed another apparent attempt at distraction theft within that city on Tuesday.
A man told officers he was working outside his home shortly before 3 p. m. when two people drove up asking for directions to a church.
“The complainant gave them directions but then noticed they were trying to give him what looked like a gold ring and chain,” police said.
The potential victim mentioned he was wearing a thick gold chain himself and suspected that they were attempting to steal it. He moved away from the SUV while the couple quickly left afterward.
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