Police are searching for a group of suspects they believe are targeting elderly in the community after recently responding to a number of similar reports of thefts.
Between July 13 and July 20, there were five incidents involving senior citizens who were victims to a group of suspects who had tricked them and stolen valuable jewelry, according to police.
In all cases, police say the suspects approached the victims under the guise of selling them gold or lucky charms. The suspects are reported to be very touchy-feely and overbearing, hugging and kissing the victims. They are quick to ask their victims for money or water, then proceed to persuade their victims to try on bracelets, necklaces and rings.
Police say the suspects remove jewelry from the elderly victims and are able to replace it with face items. Afterwards, the victims realize the scam.
Thefts have ranged in the area of $500 to $2,500, according to police.
The suspects are described as a male, possibly Arabic, with olive skin, about 40 years old, 185-190 pounds, five-foot-six with short black hair and a well-trimmed beard. He is described as wearing a light-coloured button-up short-sleeved shirt and grey pants.
Police say the male is with two or three females who have been described as white, Pakistani or Arabic, about 40-45 years old and wearing flashy scarves on their heads.
All the suspects speak with an accent described as either Spanish or Arabic, according to police.
The first theft took place July 13 in the 3300 block of St. Patrick’s Avenue involving an elderly couple who had been sitting on their front porch.
Police say there were two similar incidents that occurred on July 19, one involving an elderly male walking to his car in the parking lot of the Canadian Tire located in the 2600 block of Tecumseh Road West and another involving an elderly couple sitting on their front porch in the 2500 block of Armstrong Avenue.
On July 20, another two incidents were reported, with one involving an elderly female who was targeted by thieves while out for a walk in the 1500 block of North Service Road and a similar case in Amherstburg.
Most of the victims have reported the suspects drive a newer grey vehicle, possibly a Ford Fusion. In the Amherstburg incident, the suspects are described as driving a cream-coloured Cadillac Escalade.
Many of the victims are embarrassed and police say family members have had to call to report the crime.
Police are asking anyone with any information in relation to these incidents to call 519-255-6700 ext. 4830 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 519-258-TIPS (8477).
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