Surveillance video of 'distraction theft' released following rash of similar robberies

Police have released security surveillance footage of a "distraction theft" in the hopes of identifying the suspect.

The daylight robbery shows a woman being distracted while her necklace is stolen.

It's just one of many distraction thefts that have been reported in Vaughan this year. In a statement released on Friday, York Regional Police say there have been more than 35 reported distraction thefts so far.

In each case, police say a suspect approached a victim with a distraction, such as asking for directions or starting a conversation. In several of the robberies, the suspect also either gave the victim a hug, or gave them a piece of fake jewellery as a gift. In the process, police say the suspect managed to remove the victim's jewellery without being detected.

The technique is similar to the one used by the suspect in the Oct. 1 distraction theft that was caught on camera. It happened shortly after noon in the driveway of the victim's residence in Vaughan in the Via Campanile and La Rocca Avenue area.

In the video, the female suspect is seen chatting with another woman. She later places a necklace around the victim's neck, while removing the more valuable one at the same time. She then leaves the area in a white, four-door Jeep Wrangler.

"This woman was in her driveway, was approached by a stranger and just did the polite thing and listened and then the theft happened," Const. Andy Pattenden said Friday. "It really is disheartening and it’s terrible to watch. It’s not just the monetary value…the (stolen) jewellery is often a family heirloom that has been handed down for generations."

Anyone with information is being asked to call police at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7441, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).