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A man and woman from Ontario were arrested and charged in Winnipeg after a number of people were victimized in a fake jewelry scam on Canada Day, say police.<\/p>\n
The 26-year-old woman and 27-year-old\u00a0man, both from Scarborough, Ont., used distraction techniques to commit jewelry thefts, police allege.<\/p>\n
The first victim, a woman in her 60s, was approached around 9:30 a.m. outside her residence on Berrydale Avenue, in the St. Vital area, Winnipeg police said in a Monday news release.<\/p>\n
A man and woman unknown to her pulled up a dark-coloured SUV. They told the woman they were new to the neighbourhood and wanted to “bless” their neighbours, police said.<\/p>\n
The woman in the SUV brought out a chain and placed it on the victim, then hugged her before leaving. The victim later discovered her genuine gold necklace was gone, and in its place was an imitation one.<\/p>\n
Around noon, a woman was outside an assisted living complex on Sophia Street in Selkirk, north of Winnipeg, when she was approached by an unknown woman who placed jewelry on her without consent, police said.<\/p>\n
Again, the victim later discovered her genuine gold necklace was gone and in its place was imitation jewelry.<\/p>\n
The third incident took place around 1:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Kenaston Common in southwest Winnipeg. A woman in her 80s was approached by an unknown female who attempted to place some jewelry on her.<\/p>\n
A man was seen waiting nearby in an SUV with an Ontario licence plate. The victim believed she was being targeted and left without anything happening, police said.<\/p>\n
All three incidents were reported to police, and the vehicle used by the couple was located at a residence on Ken Oblik Drive in Winnipeg’s South Pointe West area.<\/p>\n
A search of the home found cash and jewelry, both real and fake. Some was returned to the original owners, police said.<\/p>\n
The couple are charged with three counts of robbery, three counts of conspiracy to commit fraud, possession of proceeds of crime and possession of property obtained by crime.<\/p>\n
Police say their investigation is ongoing, and ask anyone who wants to speak to an investigator to contact the major crimes unit at 204-986-6219.<\/p>\n