Victims of distraction theft are often chosen because they are elderly, trusting, and may speak little or no English. 

The offenders generally target people who are walking or sitting alone in public or on their own property. The offenders look for exposed jewellery or may just assume their target is likely wearing it.

HOW DOES THE OFFENDER APPROACH THE VICTIM?

The suspects generally travel as a group, in a vehicle or on foot, usually with a male, female and sometimes a toddler. This makes the suspects seem less suspicious. They may drive or walk around residential neighbourhoods, shopping malls, parks or approach you at bank machines where they will distract you by spraying you with ketchup or mustard. 

They may even flatten your tire as a pretense to get you to stop your vehicle, where they will take advantage of this situation to offer “help” as an excuse to get close to you and your jewellery. 

The suspect then walks away leaving the victim confused, not realizing that their property has been taken.

The main property targeted by distraction theft offenders is expensive jewellery. However, wallets, cell phones and purse contents are also vulnerable to this type of theft.

REDUCE THE RISK OF BEING A VICTIM

• Avoid showy/flashy displays of jewelry.
• Take the safest route possible. Avoid short cuts and deserted areas; try to keep to well lit and populated streets. Walk on the side of the street that gives you the best view.
• Walk with a purpose and be alert/aware of your surroundings.
• If you are suspicious of someone and they are not leaving you alone after you have asked them to, draw attention to yourself by yelling “stop following me” or “leave me alone”.
• DO NOT LET THEM TOUCH YOU.
• If you do not feel safe or are in need of assistance, flag down a passerby, car or taxi.

CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

• If you are wearing expensive jewellery, ensure that it is properly affixed and not easily removed.
• If possible, conceal your jewellery under clothing.
• Be wary of strangers who do not respect your personal space or touch you in any way.
• If someone is close enough to put a necklace on you, THEY ARE TOO CLOSE!
• Walk with a friend whenever possible.
• Be aware of who is around you and report any suspicious or criminal incident immediately to the Police or anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
  

 SUSPECT DESCRIPTION: (only record what you remember)

• Gender
• Ethnicity
• Age
• Height
• Build
• Weight
•  Clothing Description: (ie: shoes, pants, shirts, jackets, hat)
•  Additional: (jewelery, tattoos, scars, complexion, deformities)
•  Face: (ie: wrinkles, ear size, nose shape, eye size and colour, eyebrow shape)
•  Vehicle: (Make, Model, Plate, Colour, Damage)
•  What was said? Was there an accent?

To report a crime anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at: 

1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or online at: www.crimestoppers.com

In An Emergency: Call 9-1-1 To report a crime to the Toronto Police that is not an emergency call: 416-808-2222