Seeking Public Assistance - Locksmith Solicitation

The Calgary Police Service is seeking public assistance to identify a man believed connected to a number of “locksmith solicitation” cases.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., on Sunday, May 17, 2015, a man entered a coffee shop in the 1100 block of Kensington Road N.W. He approached the clerk and began to inquire about a catering event. When the clerk asked him what number and name she should leave for her catering planner to call, the man told her he would go back to his office down the street and get a business card for her.

The man returned a short time later and approached the same clerk. He told her that he went back to his office, only to find he’d been locked out. He claimed the locksmith required $60 cash to allow him back in and asked the clerk for the money. When the clerk said no, he became agitated. The man offered to leave his reading glasses and a watch as collateral. The clerk then felt obligated to give him the money, however, the man never returned to claim his items.

It is believed the same man may be connected to at least six other similar incidents since May that have occured throughout central Calgary. He frequents coffee shops and businesses during closing time or the afternoon rush, and varies his story to include being locked out of his vehicle, occasionally blaming it on a grandson.

The man, who goes by the name “John,” is described as Caucasian, between 50 and 55 years old, 6’2” tall with white hair. A photo of a man believed connected to the incident at the coffee shop is available on The City of Calgary Newsroom.

Anyone who has information about the identity of this man, or these incidents, is asked to call is asked to call police at 403-266-1234, or Crime Stoppers anonymously through any of the following methods:

TALK: 1-800-222-8477

TYPE: www.calgarycrimestoppers.org

TEXT: tttTIPS to 274637

Case # 15198426/3427/4974