Police are warning Edmontonians to be cautious, as they investigate a number of incidents where individuals were approached by strangers in the street who allegedly robbed them.

In each case, police said the suspects target elderly individuals, who are alone – approaching the victims about jewelry, either to give it to them or to offer it for sale at a low price.

In many cases, the victim’s jewelry is switched or removed by the suspects, without the victim’s knowledge.

It’s also been reported that victims have purchased jewelry stamped 14/18 karat, only to find later that it’s costume jewelry.

Investigators are concerned about recent cases, because it’s also been reported that victims who were not interested, or had resisted, were assaulted and robbed by the suspects:

  • A 57-year-old man was approached by a man selling gold jewelry in a Mill Woods mall parking lot on September 27, the man declined, and his wallet was stolen at knifepoint by the suspect
  • A man and a woman approached a 35-year-old man on October 3 at a Mill Woods Road gas station. The couple reportedly offered gold jewelry for sale, in an attempt to raise money travel to Montreal, and a child was sitting in their vehicle – the man bought the jewelry, finding out later it was fake
  • On October 7, a 79-year-old woman was working in her yard near 114 Street and 134 Avenue, when a man and woman in a car called her over – before allegedly binding her hands with two gold chains, while they removed her 24 karat gold bracelet, before they fled
  • Then, on October 8, an 88-year-old woman was in the parking lot of a west end mall, when a man and woman approached her in a car, the woman reportedly got out of the car and placed a gold necklace on her, before hugging her, saying the necklace was a “gift from God for her” – the elderly woman’s own diamond and gemstone pendant was removed without her knowledge, the woman noticed the switch when she returned home

In all of the cases, the suspects are described as adult men and women, with dark complexions and dark hair, and speaking with heavy accents that could be eastern European, or Middle Eastern – it’s believed the suspects are travelling through Alberta.

According to police, thirteen incidents of distraction-style thefts have been reported in October – with a total of 90 incidents reported since May, 2013, and police are concerned that there may be more similar incidents.

Anyone with information on these thefts is asked to call the Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line at 780-423-4567 or #377 on a mobile phone.

Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).