By Staff
June 28th, 2019
BURLINGTON, ON
The Halton Regional Police Service warns the public about an increase in the number of shoulder surfing/distraction-style thefts in the region and is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying two suspects.
On June 10, 2019 a victim was shopping at an LCBO in Burlington.
Two suspects were in line behind the victim and managed to observe his personal identification number as he attempted to pay. After following the victim to the parking lot, they engaged him in conversation about dropping some cash while at the store. The male suspect then put the “found” money into the victim’s wallet and walked away.
The victim returned home later discovered his financial cards had been stolen and contacted police. The suspects immediately used the financial cards in Halton and Peel region to make cash advances and retail purchases. The loss is estimated to be $13,000.
Suspect One: Male, olive complexion, 30-35 years, 5’6-5’7, medium build, 180 lbs, black beard. Wearing a purple T-Shirt, jeans, tan baseball cap.
Suspect Two: Male, olive complexion, 35-40 years, 5’8-5’9, heavy build, 220 lbs, glasses. Wearing black pants, blue and white stripped T-Shirt, light blue baseball cap.
If you are able to identify the above two suspects or have any other information please contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747 ext. 2344.
Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See Something? Hear Something? Know Something? Contact Crime Stoppers” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca.
Police are reminding the public to make efforts to protect their (PIN) Personal Identification Number for their financial cards when making payments at merchants and using Automated Teller Machines.
Several different suspects have been approaching victims in retail parking lots and using some method of distraction theft to engage the victim in conversation such as: returning money the victim allegedly dropped, looking for the hospital or some vehicle mechanical issue. The suspects then either pick pocket the victim’s financial cards or steal their wallets from their vehicles while the victim is distracted. When the theft is completed, the suspects then have the victim’s financial cards with the matching Personal Identification Number and proceed to make fraudulent purchases using the stolen financial cards.
Quality video cameras produce useful photographs – well worth the investment.
Please be reminded that all persons charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
