Alberta Elder Recounts Experience of Being Targeted in a Diversion Burglary
In early August, a woman named Judith became a victim of a distressing distraction theft in Calgary. As she was walking to get her mail, a white car pulled up, and three people got out. One of the women approached Judith, pretending to know her, while a man from the car grabbed her necklace.
The necklace held emotional value for Judith, as she had purchased it when she was 23, after a battle with cancer. It wasn't until later that she realised she had been robbed.
Judith feels like a victim after the theft and has vowed to take extra caution going forward. She has spoken with both the Calgary Police Service and the Toronto Police Service about her experience, warning others about the dangers of distraction thefts.
Unfortunately, Judith's case is not an isolated incident. Across Canada, police services are investigating multiple cases of distraction thefts. In Calgary alone, the Calgary Police Service has reported 133 distraction thefts between February and August. Districts 5, 7, and 4 have reported 42, 32, and 13 incidents respectively.
Edmonton has also seen a rise in distraction thefts, with 63 cases reported since May. Police services in cities such as Vancouver, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Montreal have issued warnings about these types of thefts.
Earlier this week, police in Edmonton arrested three women on theft charges and issued warrants for three others. Judith's case serves as a grim reminder of the need for vigilance.
The Calgary Police Service advises members of the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers and to trust their instincts. Anyone who has been the victim of theft is asked to contact the Calgary Police Service or Crime Stoppers.
As we move forward, it is crucial to stay aware of our surroundings and to take steps to protect ourselves and our belongings. Let Judith's story serve as a call to action for all of us to be more vigilant and to look out for one another.
