The Saanich Police Department is cautioning the public after two women had their wallets stolen from their vehicles during “distraction theft” schemes at separate parking lots in Saanich.
Police say that on Saturday, June 4, a woman returned to her vehicle with her young child after shopping at Uptown at around 2 p.m.
As she began to drive away from her parking stall, a man knocked on her window and told her there was something wrong with her tire. Police say that she got out to look and noticed some thumbtacks stuck in the tire. She then got back into her vehicle and started to drive away when she noticed her wallet, which had been on the front passenger seat, was gone.
After launching an investigation, police determined from dashcam footage and mall surveillance footage that two men appeared to have worked together in this theft. While one man distracted the woman, the other man opened the passenger door and stole her wallet.
One day earlier, on Friday, June 3, a similar set of circumstances occurred in the parking lot at Broadmead Shopping Centre, where a woman’s wallet was taken out of her purse while being distracted in the same manner.
Investigators with the Saanich Police Department are currently looking to identify the suspects involved in this theft, as well as caution the public that these thefts are taking place locally.
Police believe that both incidents are connected, however, further evidence is being pursued in order to determine if the suspects were the same.
The images of the suspects below were captured from the incident on June 4 at the Uptown shopping centre.
“We believe they are watching for women carrying a purse or pack while returning to their vehicle, as they know it will be left unattended inside while they distract them,” said Const. Markus Anastasiades. “We encourage anyone that has had something similar happen to call their local police to report it. We have seen these types of organized thefts occurring across the country in the past few months and suspect that they will continue.”
Anyone that can identify either of the suspects is asked to call the Saanich Police Department at 250-475-4321 or report what you know anonymously through the Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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