Peterborough Police Seeking Suspects Involved In Series of Distraction Thefts

Officers with the Peterborough Police Service are investigating after several reports of a distraction theft in the past week.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Police Service.

At roughly 11 a.m. on Saturday, an 86-year-old man was approached by a vehicle in the Clonsilla Avenue and Ford Street area. The victim thought they were asking for directions. However, the driver put a fake gold ring in his hand. When the victim then bent down to speak to the female passenger, she grabbed his face and put a heavy gold chain around his neck while seeming to be praying for his well-being.  Later that night, the victim noticed that his gold necklace was gone.

At approximately 2:50 p.m. on Monday, an 86-year-old man was approached by a vehicle while walking in the Stewart Street and Rubidge Street area. While speaking to the female passenger, it’s believed his necklace was exchanged for a fake one.

At approximately 2:10 p.m. on Tuesday, a 66-year-old woman was approached by a vehicle in a parking lot in the Clonsilla Avenue and Goodfellow Road area. While speaking to the female passenger, the victim said her gold chain was exchanged for a fake gold chain.

In each instance, it was reported that there was a male driver, a female passenger, and one or two children in the back seat. The adults had accents and were in their 40s.

A photo of the vehicle was found and is described as:

  • White Ford Edge

  • Nova Scotia plate HCL 257

Anyone with information is asked to call Peterborough Police at 705-876-1122 x555 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online.

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