They appear friendly, but their intentions are sinister.

They might pretend to be lost and innocently in search of a kind and helpful person to provide directions. Or, they simply come off as an amiable sort striking up a brief conversation in a parking lot with a stranger.

Whatever the specific ruse, the crooks police call distraction thieves most often operate in pairs, have ill intentions and move quickly in picking out and then stealing from their victims — many times approaching in a car, other times on foot.

Peel Regional Police say distraction thefts have risen dramatically in Mississauga and Brampton the past couple of years — from 25 reported incidents in 2024 to 222 reported thefts in 2025.

So far this year, 266 such thefts have been reported to police in Peel’s two major cities.

Police dedicate more resources 

The significant rise in distraction thefts has prompted police in Peel to dedicate more resources — and officers — to combatting the crime.

Investigators say they’re also looking at possible links between incidents in Peel and similar thefts reported in other parts of Ontario.

Distraction thefts, which mostly target older adults, are on the rise across the province, police in other municipalities report.

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“Police services across Ontario have seen an increase in these distraction-type thefts,” Guelph Police said this week. “Typically, older adults are approached by individuals in a vehicle and engaged in conversation, during which a female passenger will attempt to initiate physical contact by hugging or attempting to place jewelry on the victim. Afterwards, the victim realizes their jewelry has been stolen.”

Guelph Police added the offenders “may appear friendly, well‑spoken or apologetic and often try to keep the interaction moving quickly to prevent the victim from reacting.”

Crooks move in when victims’ attention is divided

The crooks often approach their victims, police say, in moments when attention is divided such as in grocery store or mall parking lots, on sidewalks or near store entrances, while entering or exiting vehicles, or when carrying groceries or other items.

Peel police noted culprits also approach their victims while asking for directions, offerings gifts or attempting to engage them in other types of conversation.

In a Brampton incident this past July 28, an elderly woman was walking in the area of Chinguacousy Road and Sandalwood Parkway West when she was approached by two women in a white SUV.

“One of the women exited the vehicle, touched the victim’s feet and hugged her,” police said. “During the interaction, the suspect switched the victim’s gold necklace with a metal necklace and removed three gold bangles from her wrists.”

The victim lost around $19,000 in jewelry as a result of the theft, police added.

“Distraction thefts involve one or more individuals creating a diversion while personal belongings are taken from a victim,” Peel police said earlier. “Older adults are frequently targeted while alone, either outside their homes or in public spaces. Most incidents occur during daylight hours. Suspects may approach victims while asking for directions, offerings gifts or attempting to engage them in conversation.”

Thefts can happen “in a matter of seconds”

Police in Peel and Guelph remind people to be aware of their surroundings, be cautious when approached by strangers, avoid unwanted physical contact, report suspicious activity immediately and, if possible, get descriptions of suspects and involved vehicles.

Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Marc Andrews said distraction thefts “can happen in a matter of seconds, and suspects may often rely on appearing friendly or helpful to gain the victim’s trust.”

Guelph Police issued their public advisory after another apparent distraction theft attempt in that city on Tuesday.

A man told police he was working in his driveway at his home just before 3 p.m. when two people in an SUV stopped and asked for directions to a church.

“The complainant provided the directions and in exchange the couple attempted to give him what appeared to be a gold ring and chain,” police said.

The potential victim said he was wearing a thick gold chain and suspected the couple were attempting to steal it, police said, adding the man moved away from the SUV and the pair quickly left the area.


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