Alleged thief posed as maintenance worker to steal Surrey senior’s purse, police say

A suspect in a Dec. 15 theft is seen in this image handed out by the Surrey Police Service.

Surrey police are asking for the public’s help to identify a theft suspect who allegedly posed as a maintenance worker in order to gain access to a victim’s home.

The incident took place around 2 p.m. Dec. 15, at a retirement home in the 15500 block of 16 Avenue, according to the Surrey Police Service.

The suspect was let into an apartment by saying he was a worker checking on the sprinkler system, and he then stole a 90-year-old woman’s purse and left, police said.

“The investigation remains active, and police believe there may be additional witnesses,” the SPS wrote in a news release Monday. “Police are releasing photos of the suspect with the hope that other potential victims, witnesses, or anyone with information will come forward.”

The suspect is described as a 5’8” tall white man. He was last seen wearing dark pants, a red Under Armour hoodie, a dark hat and sunglasses. Police asked anyone with information to call 604-599-0502.

“We think that somebody that would be despicable enough to perpetrate this ruse might be doing it repeatedly,” SPS spokesperson Ian MacDonald told CTV News.

He said tips to avoid falling victim to a similar scheme include asking for the worker’s ID, and checking with the manager of your care home or strata to see if they’re expecting maintenance work.

“First and foremost, go with your gut. If your gut is telling you that something isn’t lining up, then defer to that,” MacDonald said.