Peterborough Police are investigating a string of distraction thefts that appear to be targeting seniors in broad daylight.
Three incidents were reported over a four-day span, all involving a similar scenario. In each case, a vehicle approached an older adult under the guise of asking for directions, and a woman in the passenger seat would place a fake gold chain on the victim while distracting them.
The first reported theft happened around 11 a.m. on Saturday, near Clonsilla Avenue and Ford Street. An 86-year-old man said a woman placed a heavy chain around his neck while pretending to pray for him. He later discovered his own gold necklace was missing.
Two days later, around 2:50 p.m. on Monday, another 86-year-old man was approached near Stewart Street and Rubidge Street. Police believe the same technique was used to swap his necklace for a fake one.
The third theft was reported just after 2 p.m. on Tuesday, in a parking lot near Clonsilla Avenue and Goodfellow Road. A 66-year-old woman said her gold chain was exchanged for a counterfeit one while speaking to a woman in a vehicle.
In each case, the suspects were described as a man driving and a woman in the passenger seat, both in their 40s and speaking with accents. One or two children were seen in the back seat.
Investigators have identified the suspect vehicle as a white Ford Edge with Nova Scotia licence plate HCL 257.
Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 ext. 555 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS or stopcrimehere.ca.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)