Cobourg police are urging residents to remain vigilant following recent reports of distraction thefts in the community.
Police say distraction thieves often work in teams, creating a diversion while stealing wallets, purses or other valuables. These incidents commonly occur in public areas such as parking lots, retail stores or financial institutions, and victims may not realize their property has been taken until after the suspects have left.
In one case, police say an 85 year old woman exiting a financial institution on King Street was approached by an unknown woman who offered assistance. During the interaction, the suspect removed the victim’s wallet from her purse before returning inside the bank and using one of the victim’s cards to withdraw one thousand dollars.
The victim later reported the missing wallet to the bank, the cards were cancelled and she was reimbursed for the fraudulent withdrawal. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
In a second incident, a 72 year old woman reported her wallet stolen while shopping at a business in the north end of Cobourg. Police say fraudulent purchases totalling more than one thousand dollars were later made using her credit card.
Cobourg police are encouraging residents to take precautions, including staying aware of their surroundings, keeping purses and wallets secure and being cautious if approached by strangers offering help or engaging in conversation.
Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a distraction theft is encouraged to report the incident to police. If a suspect is still on scene, residents are urged to call 911 immediately.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)