Edmonton police have issued a warning following a series of distraction-style thefts targeting South Asian senior women. At least 20 reports of personal robberies have been made to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) since Aug. 19. Police say the thieves typically drive around residential areas looking for senior-aged South Asian women and attempt to engage them in conversation and approach the vehicle. Often the people in the vehicle will ask for directions, tell the woman she looks like their mother, or offer or ask for blessings. The suspects reportedly then grab at the victim or pull her arm into the vehicle and forcibly remove her jewelry. “Due to the forceful nature of these robberies and the fact that vehicles are involved, police are concerned that someone may get hurt,” said Det. Brys Francis, with the Investigative Response Team. No serious injuries have been reported to EPS in these robberies thus far. Anyone who has been victimized or witnesses a theft, is asked to call 911. EPS reminds people to avoid approaching unknown vehicles and to refrain from displaying expensive items like jewelry.
