Ottawa police charge 3 from GTA following reported distraction thefts

Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

The Ottawa Police Service says officers arrested three people from the Toronto area after several reports of distraction thefts in the city’s south end earlier this month.

Police six people called over the course of one hour on May 2 to report they had been the victims of distraction thefts. In each case, the suspects distracted the victims with conversation while their valuables were stolen, police said.

No one was reported hurt.

A licence plate of a suspect vehicle was shared with officers, and a car was stopped a short time later.

Police said three occupants, all from the Greater Toronto Area, were arrested and charged with a robbery offence and several theft-related offences.

Officers found gold necklaces and rings, watches, and other stolen property and also seized the car.

Police have said they are seeing an increase in distraction thefts in the city, and warmer weather can create more opportunities, as people wear fewer layers and jewelry becomes more visible.

Residents are reminded to maintain awareness of their surroundings, particularly in parking lots and public spaces and to keep valuables out of sight and secure whenever possible.

This style of theft tends to involve someone approaching for a benign reason, such as asking for directions, offering jewelry for free or for sale, or trying to place jewelry on you. Suspects tend to target people who are alone, particularly seniors.

“Trust your instincts—if something feels off, disengage and move to a safe area,” police say.

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