Charges laid in Vancouver summer distraction thefts
Credit to Author: Tiffany Crawford| Date: Fri, 06 Sep 2019 16:39:02 +0000
A 23-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman have been charged in connection with a series of distraction thefts against seniors in Vancouver.
Vancouver police say Petre Alexandru, 23, and Gratiela Stoian, 18, have been charged with one count each of theft of jewelry, and remain in custody until their next court appearance.
Police anticipate more charges will be forwarded to Crown counsel.
VPD officers arrested the pair Wednesday afternoon near Kerr Street and East 49th Avenue, shortly after a 69-year-old man had his necklace stolen.
Vancouver police spokesman Const. Steve Addison said they are still reminding seniors to remain vigilant, and not to let strangers into their personal space.
The VPD issued a warning earlier this summer after a series of distraction thefts targeting seniors in East Vancouver.
The victims were each approached in their yards or while walking on the street by a man and woman who tried to give them fake jewelry, then stole real jewelry from the seniors when they were distracted.
VPD detectives recovered jewelry following Wednesday’s arrest, and Addison says some of the valuables have already been returned to the owners.
ticrawford@postmedia.com