Police investigating distraction thefts which target senior citizens

24-42667/44069

The Kingston Police are investigating two recent incidents of a distraction style theft targeting senior citizens. 

On November 23, 2024, a theft incident occurred out front of a restaurant located at the Frontenac Mall, while another theft occurred on December 5, 2024, out front of store located in the Days Road and Bath Road Plaza. 

In both circumstances the suspects targeted elderly women who were alone in parking lots. The suspects approached in a vehicle and politely asked for directions to the hospital. The suspects then put large fake jewelry around the victim’s head and/or wrist as a “thank you”.  In the process of doing this, the victim’s own expensive jewelry was removed from their neck and wrist.

The suspects in both incidents were described as a middle aged male with two adult females, accompanied by two young children in the back seat. The suspects were also described as having light brown skin.

Sadly, the children also participated in the distraction theft by begging the victims to keep the fake jewelry on, making it less likely they would realize their own jewelry had just been stolen. It wasn’t until well after the suspects had driven away that each of the victims noticed their own expensive jewelry had been stolen.
 
The suspect vehicle description provided was a dark sedan. Investigators have been unable to obtain any video surveillance of the suspects or their vehicle.
 
Police are asking the public to be cautious for this type of theft scam targeting our community. Similar thefts are known to have occurred across southern Ontario.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to please contact Detective Sergeant Blair Watt via email at bwatt@kingstonpolice.ca

You can also provide tips anonymously by calling the Kingston Police general number 613-549-4660 ext. 0 and asking to remain anonymous.