VPD warns of distraction thefts in Lower Mainland

The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says that distraction thefts — targeting seniors — are becoming more common and more prevalent across the Lower Mainland.

According to police, there were 20 such thefts in November alone, with East Vancouver being a hotspot of those incidents.

Const. Darren Wong of the VPD says that thieves use sleight-of-hand, distracting their victim with fake jewelry, before discreetly removing the victim’s real valuables.

“They will come in, have these interactions with this unsuspecting victim, and in the process close the distance and offer jewelry,” Wong told 1130 NewsRadio.

“While they’re doing that, through sleight of hand techniques, they’re removing the existing jewelry, the actual real necklace that our victim is wearing, and they’ll be gone just like t