Toronto sees ‘alarming’ rise in distraction thefts, 2 women face robbery charges - BERITAJA

Two women are facing charges pursuing an investigation into a February distraction theft, and Toronto police opportunity location whitethorn beryllium much victims.

Police responded to reports of a robbery successful the Finch Avenue West and Woodbine Downs Boulevard area connected Feb. 21.

Officers opportunity the unfortunate was seated successful her conveyance erstwhile she was approached by 2 women. She was handed a clone iPhone and counterfeit jewelry.

Police allege the suspects past forcibly removed golden chains from the victim’s neck. She sustained insignificant injuries during the incident.

The suspects past fled the scene.

They now look charges of robbery pinch unit and conspiracy to perpetrate a summary offence. One female is besides facing a complaint of assaulting a bid officer.

Supt. Ron Taverner said the 2 suspects are not Canadian citizens, adding they could look jailhouse clip and deportation.

He said they are besides believed to person carried retired thefts successful Halton, Hamilton and Montreal and, arsenic a result, are wanted successful various jurisdictions.

Distraction thefts connected the rise

Toronto officials opportunity they are cracking down connected an “alarming” emergence successful distraction thefts arsenic the metropolis prepares to spot hundreds of thousands of visitors for the World Cup.

Taverner said constabulary cannot beryllium everywhere, and that group request to beryllium cautious about holding connected to their belongings.

“These group are amazingly bully astatine what they do,” he said.

Etobicoke North Coun. Vincent Crisanti said perpetrators are often targeting susceptible communities, pinch a peculiar accent connected seniors.

He said a perpetrator whitethorn attack successful a friends mode earlier the theft effort occurs.

“It’s really alarming that it happens that quickly,” he said.

Toronto Police Service says the metropolis saw 28 distraction thefts successful 2024. In 2025, that number exploded to 374.