Thieves using ‘sophisticated’ distraction techniques to nab seniors’ jewelry: Winnipeg police

Winnipeg police are warning the public about an alarming rise in jewelry distraction thefts in the city. Jon Hendricks reports.

Winnipeg police are warning the public about a string of thefts involving sophisticated distraction techniques to steal jewelry off of unsuspecting people, many of whom are elderly and do not speak English.

The Winnipeg Police Service held a news conference Wednesday to warn the public about the disturbing trend.

They touched on three recent incidents, all of which happened in the south end of the city within days or weeks of each other.

The first happened on Sept. 18. Police say a dark-coloured SUV pulled up to a home on Drake Boulevard in Saint Boniface.

A woman was approached by a female suspect, asking for prayers for an ill family member.

Police say the suspect put fake jewelry on the victim’s hand and stole two rings and a necklace from her.

The next incident happened Sept. 23 in Bridgwater. An SUV pulled up to a victim on Bridgeland Drive South. A suspect got out of the vehicle, tried to hug the victim, and stole a bracelet from them.

The third theft happened on Sept. 27, police say. An elderly couple was walking on John Bruce Road in the Royalwood neighbourhood when a vehicle pulled up. A male suspect got out and approached the man while a female suspect attempted “a close, physical encounter” with the woman, replacing the jewelry she was wearing with counterfeit jewelry.

Thieves ‘prey on the kindness of strangers’

Investigators say all suspects were reported to be South Asian and spoke Hindi in two of the incidents.

Police believe these thieves are targeting elderly victims, generally near their homes, who are not fluent in English and who are wearing high-value gold jewelry.

“These individuals are very, very good at what they do, not only in the distraction techniques that they’re using, but even identifying the quality of the jewelry that their victims are wearing,” explained Const. Claude Chancy, a WPS public information officer.

Similar thefts have been reported in other parts of the country, he said.

While police have not confirmed that the September incidents are related, they say they are aware of a travelling crime group that uses rental vehicles, typically with out-of-province license plates.

This group is known to use a motel on the outskirts of the city in rural areas, using it as a base of operations while they commit thefts within nearby, populated areas.

Const. Chancy said police have received dozens of reports of similar incidents since March, though more could have gone unreported.

“These individuals prey on the kindness of their victims. They seem very approachable, very friendly. It’s almost like having a wolf in sheep’s clothing, if you will,” he said.

The public can protect themselves by keeping jewelry hidden, police said.

If approached in a similar manner, police advise to decline their request, disengage, and make a police report.

If possible, take a photo of the suspects and their vehicles.

“Those are also very helpful to investigators,” Const. Chancy said.

Suspect wanted in connection with unrelated jewelry theft

Officers also called on the public for help finding a suspect wanted in a separate theft that used similar tactics but is not believed to be related to the September incidents.

In August, police say a man was walking his dog in the 500 block of Toronto Street when he was approached by a male suspect.

The suspect offered costume jewelry as a gift, which investigators say is a common tactic. He then removed a valuable gold chain from the victim’s neck and replaced it with a fake one, police say.

The man confronted the suspect, who fled in a vehicle, causing the man to fall and sustain minor injuries.

The major crimes unit identified a suspect in connection with the incident – 31-year-old Ionut-Vasile Bivolaru. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Anyone with information that can help police find him is asked to contact investigators at 204-986-6219 or by contacting Crime Stoppers anonymously.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.