Vancouver police search for thief smooth-talking his way into seniors' homes
Credit to Author: David Carrigg| Date: Wed, 28 Aug 2019 21:42:53 +0000
A hunt is underway for a smooth-talking man in his 40s who has been conning his way into the homes of Vancouver seniors and stealing their valuables.
Vancouver police spokesman Const. Steve Addison said there had been 12 incidents since late July, most recently on Tuesday morning near Nanaimo Street in the Grandview-Woodland community.
Addison said the man was described as friendly, well-groomed, Caucasian and in his 40s. He’s of medium build, with brown hair and is 5-foot-11.
The man’s approach is to knock on the front door or approach a senior as they’re in their front yards. He strikes up a conversation, then works his way into their homes where he steals cash and valuables without their knowing.
“This thief is smooth and conniving, and he’s been preying on the good nature of Vancouver seniors,” Addison said. “We’re working hard to solve these crimes, and we’re asking residents to be extra vigilant until we do.”
He said incidents had occurred throughout the city, and that police investigators believed the suspect was operating throughout the Lower Mainland.
The man’s tactics include to pretend he is a neighbour locked out of his residence and needing to use a phone or that he is a canvasser for a local charity.
“Once inside, he waits until his victims are distracted, then pockets cash or other valuable items,” Addison said. “In most cases the victims don’t even realize they’ve been scammed until much later. Unfortunately, by that time the suspect is long gone.”
Wednesday’s warning comes a month after Vancouver police warned seniors about a string of distraction thefts after an elderly woman was robbed in her backyard.
At that time, police said a woman was gardening in her backyard in the Cedar Cottage neighbourhood when a man and woman pulled up in an SUV. The woman got out of the vehicle and approached the victim, forcing several pieces of costume jewelry into her hands. The victim refused to accept the jewelry and ordered the woman to leave. After the vehicle drove off, the victim realized that a gold bracelet was missing from her wrist and had been removed during the interaction.
Police said that distraction thieves often targeted seniors wearing visible jewelry and that they worked in teams. Since 2014, Vancouver police have released about a dozen public notices about distraction theft.
-With files from Stephanie Ip