Seniors in Ontario Advised to Keep Jewelry Hidden

Police are looking for the woman in this video image as part of a distraction theft investigation. (Hamilton Police video).

Seniors all over Ontario are being urged to keep their valuable jewelry out of sight as incidents of distraction thefts rise in public spaces.

Halton Regional Police have expressed concern about the increase in these crimes, particularly in Burlington, but also noted they are happening across the Greater Toronto Area and Hamilton.

Victims tend to be approached while walking in public areas or alongside roads. The suspects are usually women who get out of a vehicle to make contact.

“In these incidents, suspects approach seniors in public and engage them by asking for directions or some false gesture of goodwill, such as requesting prayers for a sick family member,” according to police. “Next, the suspect will distract the victim with hugging or by placing inexpensive costume jewelry on them as a so-called gift. During this interaction, the suspects remove valuable jewelry already worn by the victim.”

While jewelry is primarily targeted, thieves may also try to steal wallets, purses, or phones.

Burlington has experienced an uptick in these thefts during September, with similar occurrences reported in Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills.

“These despicable acts targeting our most vulnerable members of our community are alarming,” said Superintendent Dave Costantini from 3 District for Halton Police. “The reprehensible individuals involved in this type of crime are members of traveling organized crime groups. They often utilize rental vehicles and stay in neighboring motels and hotels. We ask anyone-including those working in transportation and hospitality-to call police or Crime Stoppers if they see anything suspicious.”

Police offer these tips to stay safe:

Stay alert to your surroundings, particularly in parking lots or less busy areas. Avoid displaying expensive or sentimental jewelry in public; keep it covered when possible. Do not allow strangers into your personal space or let them touch you. If someone attempts to place an object on you, treat it as a warning sign. If approached by a stranger under suspicious circumstances, walk away and seek help if necessary.

If you believe you have been the victim of a distraction theft, call 911 immediately. Try to recall as many details as possible including the suspect’s physical description, clothing, and any vehicle involved (make, model, license plate etc.).

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