Four people have been arrested following a string of distraction thefts across the Lower Mainland on Canada Day, that prompted a multi-jurisdictional response. It began around 1:45 on Wednesday afternoon in Vancouver, when police say an elderly man was approached by two men and two women in a grey Hyundai Kona in the alley behind his home near East 20th Avenue and Windermere Street. The victim was reportedly distracted by the male driver, while a female passenger jumped out of the SUV, and swapped his gold necklace with a counterfeit replica. The suspects drove away before the victim realized what had happened. Less than an hour later, police in West Vancouver were called to a similar incident near the Ambleside neighbourhood. At around 2:15 p.m., police say an older female pedestrian was also approached by two men and two women in a grey Hyundai Kona. The two women reportedly got out of the vehicle near Bellevue Avenue and 17th Street and attempted to distract her and steal her wallet. This time passersby intervened and called police, who were able to get the licence plate of the suspect vehicle, and send a regional alert to neighbouring police agencies. Just before 3 p.m., Vancouver police patrolling Highway 1 were able to stop the vehicle near the Brunette Avenue exit. Officers arrested two men and two women at the scene without incident. The VPD says investigators are working to determine whether the suspects are linked to a third distraction theft that occurred near Waverley and Nanaimo streets earlier the same day. “We appreciate those who stepped in to help the lady who was targeted,” Suzanne Birch, spokesperson for the West Vancouver Police Department, said in a news release Thursday. “As we continue our work to interrupt these crimes, we are encouraging residents to be aware of their surroundings, maintain physical distance when approached by strangers, and be suspicious of unsolicited offers.” Vancouver police say two of the suspects have been released with conditions, and the other two were transferred over to custody of the West Vancouver police. Police are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant video of the incident in Ambleside to call the West Vancouver police at 604-925-7300 and quote file # 26-6778.
