Vancouver police are warning the public after a string of distraction thefts targeting seniors in East Vancouver.
The thefts involve a stranger getting out of a vehicle and approaching men and women who are wearing visible necklaces and rings. According to police, the thieves make various excuses to make physical contact with the victims — some are conversational and offer free or inexpensive jewelry, while others appear frantic asking for directions.
“These thieves are smooth and quickly get into your personal space,” media relations officer Const. Jason Doucette said in a press release. “Victims usually don’t realize their jewelry has been taken until after the crooks are gone.
“We are encouraging family and friends to tell seniors in our communities about this scam, and remind them to be very cautious if someone enters their personal space.”
In one incident, just before 5 p.m. on May 22 near East First Avenue and Renfrew Street a 70-year-old Chinese woman was approached in her driveway by two suspects who began placing rings on her hands and a necklace around her neck.
“Even though this woman pulled away, the suspects still managed to get away with a valuable necklace,” Doucette said.
In another incident on May 30, an 80-year-old Italian woman was approached in front of her home near Nanaimo and Oxford streets. A frantic woman said her child was sick and asked for directions to the hospital. The suspect hugged the woman to thank her and tried to steal her necklace. The victim pushed the suspect away and was able to grab her jewelry back.
“A specific suspect description is not available at this point, as there appear to be a number of people involved,” Doucette said.
Anyone who is approached by these suspects is asked to call 911 immediately. Anyone with information about these types of crimes, or who has been a victim and not yet reported it to police, is asked to call investigators at 604-717-0613.
jkerr@vancourier.com
