Distraction Theft Attempts

The Calgary Police Service is seeking public assistance to locate a woman believed to be responsible for two distraction theft attempts in the city’s south targeting women in their 60s, of East Indian descent.

The first incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013, at approximately 6:30 p.m. A 61-year-old woman was walking alone around a pond by Silverado Way and Sheriff King Street S.W., when an unknown woman approached and tried to speak with her.

The victim indicated to the woman she could not speak English. The suspect then spoke to the victim, kissed the victim on the cheeks and hugged her. She then showed the victim a ring and placed it on her finger, then attempted to place a necklace around the victim’s neck while surreptitiously removing the necklace the victim was wearing.

The victim pushed the suspect away and watched her run to a waiting grey car with two men in the front seats. The car left northbound on Sheriff King Street S.W.

In this incident, the suspect is described as Caucasian, 25 years old, 5’2” tall, weighing roughly 110 lbs., with a slim build and black hair. She was wearing a long multi-coloured skirt, a short sleeved shirt, and had gold-capped incisors when she smiled.

Shortly after the first incident, just before 7 p.m., a 64-year-old woman was sitting with a child on the front step of a home in the 100 block of Everhollow Street S.W. when an unknown woman approached her and began offering what she referred to as a gift. The victim, who was visiting family from India and does not speak English, tried to refuse the suspect. However the victim proceeded to place a ring and a necklace on the step. She then hugged the victim, surreptitiously removing the victim’s gold necklace in the process, grabbed the jewelry she had placed on the step, ran to a waiting small, white car and drove away.

In this case the unknown woman is described as Caucasian, between 40 and 45 years old, 160 lbs., 5’7” tall with brown, shoulder-length hair, wearing a long skirt and a T-shirt.

Although the descriptions differ slightly, investigators believe the same woman may be responsible for both incidents.

Anyone with information about these incidents, or the suspect’s identity, is asked to call police at 403-266-1234 or Crime Stoppers anonymously using any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

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