Edmonton police warn of cases of distraction-style thefts

EDMONTON (660 NEWS) – Edmonton police are once again alerting the public after several reports of distraction-style thefts.

Since, April 11, 2019, police have received five additional reports of these thefts citywide after issuing a warning in the middle of March when several seniors were targeted.

Police now say thieves are targeting people of all ages.

The thieves typically approach people along the roadside or in parking lots, using various tactics to distract them.

In some cases, they reportedly approached citizens and attempt to sell them fake gold jewellery or ask to see the real jewellery they were wearing.

In other instances, thieves have reportedly offered fake gold jewellery in exchange for money for gas. Thieves have also allegedly dropped money on the ground and then approached citizens to tell them they dropped the cash, offering to help them pick it up. During each interaction, the thieves use a sleight of hand to remove the citizen’s real jewellery or remove their credit and debit cards from open wallets.

Investigators believe the recent incidents are linked and may involve the same suspects.

Complainants have been approached by either one man, a man and a woman or two men, all of whom are described as having dark skin tone, dark hair and heavy accents that may be Eastern European or Middle Eastern. One of the men was also described as having a beard or goatee.

Anyone who has been a victim of these thefts is encouraged to come forward and contact Edmonton police at 780-423-4567 or Crime Stoppers.

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