Gail Hoevenaars from London, Ontario, and her husband stopped to assist a driver who approached them for directions to Costco, believing they were doing a good deed. While her husband provided directions to the driver, Hoevenaars engaged in conversation with two women in the vehicle. One of the women distracted Hoevenaars by pretending her mother needed prayers for heart surgery and placed chains on her wrists and neck before swiftly leaving. It was later discovered that two pieces of Hoevenaars’ jewelry were stolen during the encounter.
Feeling violated and upset, Hoevenaars reported the theft to the London police, who have issued warnings to the public about distraction thefts following similar incidents earlier in the year. These types of crimes are on the rise in various Canadian cities, including Toronto and Edmonton. Toronto police reported a significant increase in distraction thefts compared to the previous year, while Edmonton police received over 60 reports of such incidents between May and August.
Hamilton police recently released footage showing a suspect involved in a distraction theft targeting a senior. London police also suspect there may be additional victims who have not reported similar incidents. Witnesses like Isabel Capo have advised being cautious when approached by strangers, especially in situations involving unexpected gifts or physical contact, as these may be tactics used in distraction thefts.
Hoevenaars’ stolen jewelry held sentimental value, with one piece being acquired during a trip to Jerusalem 25 years ago and the other being a gift from a neighbor 30 years ago. London police emphasized the importance of vigilance and awareness, recommending maintaining a safe distance from unfamiliar vehicles and individuals to prevent falling victim to distraction thefts.