Tag: Crime Stoppers

Public assistance requested in break and enter

Surrey: Surrey RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect in  a break and enter to a residence in the City Centre area.

On March 27th, at 8:30am Surrey RCMP received a call from a female victim in her 80’s that an unknown male had entered her home in the 9300 block of 133A Street.  When she tried to call 911 the male locked the doors and took away her phone.  The male then searched her home, stole several items of value, and left.  The victim was not physically injured.

Surrey RCMP’s Robbery Unit is leading this investigation.  A neighborhood canvass was conducted to identify potential witnesses from the area.  Members from the Integrated Forensics Investigation Service (IFIS) were called to the scene to gather further evidence for forensic analysis.  In addition, an RCMP sketch artist was engaged and was able to produce a likeness of the suspect .

The suspect is described as a South Asian or Filipino male in his mid 30’s, 5’10” tall, with a muscular build .  The suspect was wearing an overly large black baseball cap with a brim that covered his ears, hair, and head. The suspect has “squinty” eyes and a very round head  with a short square chin.

“We’re hopeful that this composite sketch will lead to the eventual identification of the suspect,” says Cpl. Scotty Schumann. “Remember to keep your ground floor windows and doors locked, even when you are home, to reduce your risk of a break and enter.”

For more information on protecting your home and property, please see the Surrey RCMP’s website.

Anyone with more information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502 or Crime Stoppers, if they wish to remain anonymous, at 1-800-222-TIPS or www.solvecrime.ca.

Toronto seniors falling prey to ‘distraction theft’ cons, police warn

Police say that thieves are targeting senior citizens who speak little to no English in a series of ‘distraction thefts’

Thieves are preying on seniors, particularly those who speak little English, Toronto police are warning.

Police report four “distraction thefts” with similar tactics this month alone, between Aug. 17 to 21.

Each time, police say, a woman approaches a senior citizen and asks for directions. The woman distracts her victims by giving them worthless jewelry while stealing expensive jewelry, such as rings and necklaces. Before the victims realize their jewelry is missing, the fraud artist is driven away by a male suspect.

Police are urging the public to be on their guard against these ploys and report any suspicious behaviour to police.

To help alert the community, Crime Stoppers has released a series of YouTube videos in English, Portuguese, and Italian.

Police believe there may be other victims.

Crime Stoppers’ reenactment of a series of ‘distraction thefts’ targeting seniors in the GTA. Videos have been produced in English, Portuguese and Italian.

This isn’t the first time a string of distraction thefts have hit Toronto. In 2014, a Scarborough widow lost irreplaceable jewelry including her wedding ring to a ‘hugging’ distraction thief.

Police also dismantled an international organized crime ring responsible for a series of distraction thefts across southern Ontario and Quebec in 2012.