Burnaby RCMP warn of distraction thefts robbing seniors of heirloom jewelry
A flurry of "distraction thefts" in Burnaby, B.C., have led police to renew warnings to seniors about the specific type of crime happening around the Lower Mainland.
Burnaby RCMP say three thefts in the last few weeks have resulted in two victims losing family heirlooms.
Each of the reported thefts involved an elderly victim, according to Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Michael Kalanj. All three were also female, but Kalanj said police think that's because they were visibly wearing jewelry.
"The suspects are casing out areas," Kalanj said. "They're finding people on the street, or in their yard doing gardening, or just out and about, that they can tell are wearing jewelry.
"To make it worse, they're kind of looking for people ... that might be wearing heirlooms, expensive jewelry that others might only wear on special occasions."
Kalanj said in each case, a car pulled up and a woman jumped out, while a man waited in the driver's seat. The woman overwhelmed the victim by speaking fast and exchanged the real jewelry for nearly worthless jewelry.
The corporal said that the suspects were choosing victims that don't speak English as well as others.
"And before you know it, they're right in their face. They're flattering them, telling them beautiful things: 'You remind me of (my) mother' … And as they're putting on a worthless necklace, they're quickly taking the family heirloom and expensive jewelry off of our victims."
Two of the victims lost heirloom necklaces in the thefts, police say.
"The third person, who we'll commend, made a stink, just started yelling, managed to keep their necklace, and the suspect drove off," Kalanj told CBC News.
He recommended if anyone faces such a situation, to make a scene by yelling and "create witnesses."
"Don't feel embarrassed and call the police right away," Kalanj said.
Cases reported across Lower Mainland
Police don't think it's the same people involved in the different thefts.
Kalanj said the suspected thieves are likely in touch with each other and could be part of the same network.
"We think there's people all over the Lower Mainland that are just trying to take advantage of some of the good-natured seniors that we have in our community," the spokesperson said.
In March, the Surrey Police Service also warned the public about distraction thefts.
Surrey police said some of the common methods included people approaching a victim and asking for money for gas, or attempting to sell gold jewelry or an iPhone.
The Vancouver Police Department has said distraction thefts have been occurring in the city for years.
In 2018, the department produced a social media video warning of distraction thefts.
"We have not made any arrests, but investigations into these files are very much active and ongoing," Const. Tania Visintin told CBC News in an emailed statement.
Family members are being encouraged to speak with seniors and discuss what distraction thefts are and how to stay safe.
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