Winnipeg police have charged a man and woman from Ontario, accusing them in a series of jewelry thefts targeting seniors on Canada Day.
The Winnipeg Police Service said officers launched an investigation after receiving reports of three thefts believed to involve the suspects, who were driving a black SUV bearing an Ontario licence plate, a Monday news release stated.
The first incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m. when a woman in her 60s was approached outside her home on the 100 block of Berrydale Avenue. She told investigators the suspects arrived in the SUV and told her they were new to the neighbourhood and wanted to “bless” their neighbours.
A Chevrolet Equinox was linked to a series of alleged jewelry thefts targeting seniors on Canada Day. Officers located the black SUV at a home on the 200 block of Ken Oblik Drive and arrested a man and a woman from Scarborough, Ont., related to the thefts. (WPS handout)
“From inside the vehicle, the suspect placed a chain on the victim and hugged her before leaving. The victim later discovered her genuine gold necklace that she had been wearing was gone and in its place was an imitation gold necklace,” WPS said.
Later that day, around noon, a woman said she was outside an assisted living complex in Selkirk when a woman she did not know approached her and placed jewelry on her without her consent. She later discovered the genuine gold necklace she was wearing had been replaced with imitation jewelry.
At about 1:30 p.m., a third victim, in her 80s, was approached by an unknown woman in the parking lot of a retail store on the 1600 block of Kenaston Boulevard. The suspect attempted to place jewelry on the victim, while a man waited nearby an SUV.
The victim believed she was being targeted and was able to leave without incident, WPS said.
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All of the incidents were reported to police. Officers located the black SUV at a home on the 200 block of Ken Oblik Drive and executed a search warrant. Investigators recovered cash, imitation jewelry and real jewelry — some of which was returned to the original owners.
A 26-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, both from Scarborough, Ont., were arrested and charged with three counts of robbery, three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud, and one count each of possession of proceeds of crime under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Police urged the public to exercise caution if approached by strangers offering jewelry or gifts, especially if the strangers attempt to make physical contact.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information was asked to call police at 204-986-6219, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 204-786-8477 (TIPS) or submit a tip at winnipegcrimestoppers.org.
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