Email icon Back to Search

Officers from the Niagara Regional Police Service are seeing a rise in distraction thefts since late February across Niagara. 10 incidents have been reported.

While there are some minor differences the general steps the distraction criminals are using are similar.  Please see below.

  1. Multiple suspects (2-4) will enter larger retail stores.  They wander the store till they find a victim (often a lone older female with a purse).
  2. The victim is followed around the store till they go to the register to pay. 
  3. The suspects will surreptitiously position themselves near the point of sale to be able to see the victim type in their PIN for a debit or credit card.
  4. The victim is then followed into the parking lot to their car.
  5. The suspects separate and positions themselves near the car.
  6. Once the victim is seated in the car, one of the suspects approaches the car and tells the victim there is a problem that they need to see. Often the suspects will say there is a problem with the victim’s car e.g. tire running out of air – low pressure
  7. The victim will exit the car to look at the “problem” tire with the “helpful” suspect.
  8. With the victim distracted one of the other suspects will swoop in, enter the car from the passenger side snatching the card, or the purse and or wallet from within.
  9. The suspects will leave the area and immediately and try to access and pull as much money as possible from the debit or credit card.

Safety Tips

  • Always be aware and vigilant to your surroundings.
  • Using “Tap” technology can reduce the risk of exposure to your PIN.
  • Take steps to protect your PIN.  Stand close and cover your typing hand.
  • Upon entering your car, lock the doors.
  • If a stranger comes to the car to speak to you, remain in the car and lower a window slightly. 
  • Consider waiting till you are alone or go to a safe location to assess the “problem”.
  • Trust your intuition. If it feels suspicious in may very well be.

Anyone who feels they have been a victim of a distraction theft should report it to the police as soon as practicable.  Anyone with information about suspects involved in distraction thefts can contact the police by calling 905-688-4111.

Members of the public who wish to provide information anonymously can contact Crime Stoppers of Niagara online or by calling 1-800-222-8477.  Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards to persons who contact the program with information which leads to an arrest.

 

Click Here For Crime Stoppers Online