‘Growing trend’: Calgary police say distraction theft is on the rise

A police vehicle is shown at Calgary Police Service headquarters in Calgary on Thursday, April 9, 2020. (Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

Calgary police are warning of an increase in so-called distraction thefts across the city.

The thefts, like their name implies, occur when the victim is intentionally distracted.

Police say they’re investigating a “growing trend” of the crime, which began being reported more frequently in February.

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While police say they’re unsure at this time if all the cases are related, they are an issue people need to be aware of.

“Distraction thefts come in various forms, but they typically occur while victims are in parking lots or waiting in public areas,” police explained in a Tuesday news release.

“They are approached by offenders who will potentially use elaborate stories to request money in exchange for gold or jewelry, use fake gold or jewelry as collateral to borrow money, place fake jewelry on victims as a gift and, while being in close physical proximity, steal real jewelry the victim is wearing or some variation of these tactics.”

Staff Sgt. Geoff Gawlinski says people need to be cautious if they’re approached by strangers looking to sell them items or borrow money.

“These offenders often tell emotional stories as to why they need money, and they can be very convincing. If this has happened to you, or you are aware of incidents like these, please report them to the police.”

Anyone with information on these incidents is asked to call police at 403-266-1234.

Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers.