Ottawa police are looking for public assistance to identify suspects in a pair of unrelated distraction thefts involving victims in their 90s.
The first theft was June 26 in the 2200 block of Hillary Avenue in the Alta Vista neighbourhood.
The 92-year-old victim was sitting outside her home between 4:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. when a vehicle stopped in her driveway and waved her over.
“Believing the people in the vehicle to be neighbours,” the victim approached.
A female suspect in the back seat asked to look at the victim’s rings. The suspect removed a necklace and two rings from the victim before she could be stopped.
The thieves left in a light-coloured (e.g., beige or silver) four-door sedan driven by a male suspect.
The female suspect is described as a middle-aged Caucasian with shorter, light brown hair and a round face. She may go by the name “Maria.”
The second theft occurred two days later in the 1500 block of Beaverpond Drive in the Pineview neighbourhood.
The victim, a 94-year-old man, was at home when a woman knocked on the door.
“Upon answering, the suspect placed a gold necklace around the victim’s neck and then left,” police said in a news release.
“Shortly after, the victim realized that the gold necklace he had been wearing was missing.”
Investigators are asking residents and businesses in the areas to review any security, doorbell or dashcam footage for anything suspicious.
Anyone with information can contact the Ottawa Police Service’s Alternate Response Unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5300.
“If you believe you have been a victim or witness to a distraction theft and the suspect is still nearby, do not attempt to follow them,” police said.
“Instead, call 911 immediately and try to note as many details as possible, including the suspect’s physical description, clothing, and any associated vehicle (make, model, license plate, etc.).”
Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (toll-free) or online at
crimestoppers.ca
.
