Police cautioned the public today following a string of what they called "distraction thefts" that have recently targeted elderly people.
The VPD has recently received three reports of such thefts, which have caused victims to be robbed of thousands of dollars from their bank accounts.
The incidents occurred at West Side grocery stores on March 2 and 3. At City Square, Oakridge Mall, and one on West Broadway at MacDonald Street, suspects watched as elderly customers used their debit cards to make a purchase and took note of the PIN number as it was punched it into the keypad.
Once outside, police allege the suspect made contact with the victim, chatting with them and sometimes hugging them, as an accomplice removed the victim’s wallet from their bag, walker, or jacket pocket.
The suspect then removed the bank card before returning the wallet to the victim. "It wasn’t until later that the seniors discovered money had been taken from their accounts," accordin to the VPD.
The men and woman targeted in the thefts range in age from 82 to 97 years.
There are two suspects.They are described as the following:
- Suspect 1: A white male with darker skin, 25 to 30 years old, standing five-foot-10 or five-foot-11 with a medium build. He wore a white-and-black camouflage ball-cap and black shoes.
- Suspect 2: A white male with darker skin, 30 to 40 years old, standing slightly shorter at five-foot-nine with a stocky build. He wore a black toque, black jacket, and black track pants with white stripes down the legs.
The Vancouver Police Department reminded the public of the following tips when shopping and paying for items:
- Protect your personal space
- Make sure no one is around you when entering your PIN into keypads
- Be loud if you need help -- don’t be afraid to shout or yell
- Protect your belongings
- Don’t hesitate to call police if you need assistance
For information on how seniors can protect themselves, visit the VPD's program, Safety Awareness for Elders, or S.A.F.E.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact detectives at 604-717-9061 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
