North Vancouver RCMP warn of alleged repeat fraudster targeting seniors
Credit to Author: Stephanie Ip| Date: Thu, 05 Sep 2019 22:21:20 +0000
North Vancouver RCMP is warning seniors and caregivers to beware of a man allegedly targeting seniors in the community by gaining their trust and then stealing their purses, wallets and valuables.
The so-called confidence fraud targets elderly victims by first establishing trust, either through offering help or asking for assistance. Incidents have been reported in mid-July until as recently as Wednesday evening throughout North Vancouver, West Vancouver and in Vancouver.
“It makes us angry that we have to tell the public they need to think twice before giving or accepting kindness from strangers,” said North Vancouver RCMP Sgt. Peter DeVries. “That’s not the kind of society we’re all trying to cultivate.”
North Vancouver is the latest detachment to issue a public warning about the frauds but have also taken the step of identifying a suspect in their attempt to locate and arrest him.
Donald Robert Quinnell, a Chilliwack resident, is wanted in connection to at least nine such offences in North Vancouver. A Canada-wide arrest warrant has also been issued for Quinnell for breaching probation, while multiple charges linked to the fraud are anticipated in all three jurisdictions.
Quinnell had previously been sentenced to jail time in 2008 and again in 2015 for similar thefts in Calgary and Chilliwack. In those cases, Quinnell stole money from a senior inside a retirement home and in one case, used his own child, then a toddler, to gain someone’s trust as part of a scam.
NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C.: SEPT. 5, 2019 – North Vancouver RCMP have issued a warning about Donald Robert Quinnell of Chilliwack, a man alleged to be targeted seniors in confidence scams in which he gains their trust by either seeking help or offering help and then stealing their wallets, jewelry, purses and other valuables.
In the most recent string of incidents, Quinnell typically presents himself as a “well-dressed, well-mannered” man. He approaches seniors who are alone and then will either offer help carrying groceries or tells them he has locked himself out of his car and needs help, frequently in grocery store parking lots or outside homes.
Quinnell is then able to enter the victim’s home and allegedly steals their valuables quietly. He is not believed to be violent.
“Sometimes he plays the victim and other times the saviour,” said DeVries.
“He convinces his victims to either give or receive kindness, which seems a very lovely thing. But then he uses their goodness as a distraction so he can steal their belongings. He gains trust so that he can betray it. It’s manipulative and deplorable.”
Quinnell is described as a white man measuring about 6-feet-1, weighing 190 pounds, with short brown hair and brown eyes. He is 52 years old, has a light to medium complexion and frequently wears glasses or a ball cap.
Anyone who recognizes Quinnell, has information on his whereabouts, or witnesses what they believe to be a confidence fraud in action is asked to contact 911 immediately.
Those who think they may have been victim to a confidence fraud should contact their local police department.