Suspect arrested after diamond ring stolen during distraction theft in downtown Toronto

Fraga Munteanu, 47, has been charged in connection with a distraction theft in downtown Toronto. (Toronto Police Service)

A 47-year-old woman has been arrested after a diamond ring was stolen during a distraction theft in downtown Toronto earlier this week.

Toronto police said they were called to the Blue Jays Way and Front Street area shortly before 2 p.m. on Wednesday for unknown trouble.

Officers arrived and learned that a suspect allegedly approached a victim, handed them a rose and demanded money.

The suspect allegedly then grabbed the victim’s hand, massaging and kissing it, and while doing so, stole their diamond ring.

Police said the ring was believed to have been transferred to another suspect’s hand and both fled the area shortly after.

In a news release on Friday, investigators said one suspect, Fraga Munteanu, had been arrested and charged with theft over $5,000. The charge has not been tested in court.

Police do not have a description of the other suspect. They added that there may be additional victims.

Toronto police said earlier this month that there has been an “alarming” rise of distraction-style thefts throughout the city, with nearly 375 cases reported as of Sept. 3. Last year, there were only 28 cases that were called into the authorities during the same period.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477) or www.222tips.com.