Hamilton police are seeking four individuals who collaborated to steal a senior citizen’s debit and credit cards, along with her PIN numbers, at a Fortinos grocery store in the west end back in December. This incident is part of a surge in “distraction thefts,” as stated in a news release from the police on Monday.
The theft occurred on December 6 around 3 p.m. at the Fortinos store located at Main Street West and Rifle Range Road. The four suspects deliberately targeted the woman while she was shopping, working together to learn her PIN and steal her wallet from her purse. They managed to withdraw approximately $3,500 in cash from her accounts and make purchases totaling $750, according to the police.
The suspects are described by the police as follows: an older male in a dark flat cap, glasses, red gloves, a dark winter coat, dark pants, and shoes; an individual in a navy-blue Nike jacket, black knit toque, light-colored scarf, and dark pants; a man in a grey knit toque with a logo, a dark jacket with a light-colored hood, and carrying a red bottle; and a person in a light-colored winter jacket, fur-lined hat and scarf, who was seen pushing a shopping cart.
This incident comes amidst a significant increase in distraction thefts in Hamilton and across Canada throughout the past year, according to the police. Suspects often operate in groups, engaging seniors in conversation and sometimes resorting to physical contact to distract them while stealing their jewelry.
In October, it was reported that distraction theft cases in Hamilton had surged by 87% compared to the previous year, rising from 39 to 74 incidents. The police highlighted that older adults aged 60 to 90 are frequently targeted and that suspects usually work in pairs or groups, with one distracting the victim while others commit the theft.
As of Tuesday, police spokesperson Adam Kimber revealed that there have been 25 reports of distraction thefts since November 17, with arrests made in several instances. Suspects typically use excuses to get close to victims, leading to the theft of their jewelry or valuables without their immediate knowledge, sometimes replacing items with cheap imitations.
In a similar incident in September, a woman visited a senior’s residence in Flamborough and swapped the victim’s necklace while hugging her at the entrance. Police have shared various comparable incidents in different parts of the city, urging the public to exercise caution when approached unexpectedly by strangers offering jewelry or initiating physical contact.
Authorities advise individuals to keep personal belongings and jewelry secure and hidden in public spaces and to report any suspicious behavior promptly.
