Ottawa police looking to identify suspects in distraction theft on Bank Street

The Ottawa Police Service is asking the public for help in identifying a man and a woman involved in an alleged distraction theft that happened last month in Alta Vista.

On May 18, a woman exited a white sedan in the 1500 block of Bank Street and started to walk north towards another woman, while a man waited for her in the driver’s seat, police say.

The suspect then approached the victim, starting a conversation with her, claiming that she had lost her mother. When the victim became engaged in the conversation, the suspect offered her jewelry items and $5 bills then forcibly removed her gold chain and bracelet, police add.

That was when the suspect ran back to the car, officers add.

Both suspects are described as being between the ages of 35 and 40.

The woman is described as having long black hair in a ponytail. At the time, she was wearing a black top, black and white coat, black tights, shoes and a black purse.

The man is described as having black hair and a full beard. He was seen wearing dark clothing, a grey coat and a black knapsack at the time the incident happened.

Anyone with information about these two suspects is asked to call police at 613-236-1222, extension 5116, or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous.

The city’s police service shared some tips to protect yourself:

• When you’re in public, avoid displaying expensive jewellery
• Keep an eye on what’s going on around you, especially in parking lots.
• Do not allow people you do not know to approach you or “to place an object on you, it’s a red flag.”
• Walk away from strangers if they approach you and seek help if need be.
• If you fall victim to a robbery, stay away from the suspect, do not follow them, call 9-1-1 immediately “and try to remember as many details as possible, including their physical description, clothing, and any vehicle involved.”

“Thieves may target jewellery, but wallets, phones and purses are also at risk,” police said in a news release Wednesday.