Montreal police make 5 arrests in distraction thefts targeting seniors, jewelry

1 month_ago 15

Montreal

Police accidental thieves allegedly utilized a mendacious pretence to attack their would-be victim, similar asking for directions, and past would connection a worthless necklace oregon ringing arsenic a token of appreciation. That's erstwhile they would allegedly bargain the jewelry worn by the victim.

Arrests see 3 men successful their 30s and 40s and 2 women successful their mid-30s

Sidhartha Banerjee · The Canadian Press

· Posted: May 24, 2025 12:49 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

A Montreal constabulary conveyance is parked connected a thoroughfare successful downtown Montreal.

Montreal constabulary accidental they person arrested 5 radical this week related to a fig of caller distraction thefts involving seniors, the latest successful a rash of akin incidents that person prompted warnings from constabulary forces crossed the country.

The contented has gained prominence successful caller months, with constabulary departments successful cities similar Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa and passim the Toronto country informing citizens astir the signifier earlier this year.

Montreal constabulary issued a connection connected Friday saying 3 men aged 34, 39 and 45 and 2 women aged 36 and 37 were arrested past Tuesday and Wednesday.

Three of the accused appeared connected charges of theft of little than $5,000, portion the different 2 were released with conditions and volition look astatine a aboriginal date.

Montreal constabulary accidental their probe is ongoing and determination is simply a anticipation of akin unreported thefts.

Police besides seized 3 vehicles astatine a residence successful Longueuil's St-Hubert borough, a suburb conscionable southbound of Montreal.

"During their interactions with the victim, they approached them to person them effort connected the acquisition and took the accidental to bargain 1 oregon much pieces of invaluable jewelry worn by the victim," Montreal constabulary said.

They would past rapidly permission the country successful a conveyance driven by an accomplice.

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Police forces successful Canada's largest cities person reported an uptick successful specified crimes successful 2025, peculiarly targeting seniors.

Ottawa constabulary reported akin thefts successful April involving radical unsocial successful nationalist spaces similar parking tons wherever the would-be thief engages a unfortunate successful conversation.

"These suspects are known to usage charm and deception to get close, and they often people disposable jewelry oregon idiosyncratic belongings," Ottawa constabulary said successful a statement.

Police forces accidental wallets, phones and purses are besides imaginable targets.

York Regional Police — which serves respective ample municipalities northbound of Toronto — besides warned the nationalist earlier this period astir the re-emergence of jewelry distraction thefts and urged residents to beryllium cautious erstwhile speaking to strangers.

Montreal constabulary accidental seniors should beryllium vigilant and enactment alert astir each strangers, forestall carnal interaction and garbage immoderate acquisition offered.