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Police on the North Shore are again warning shoppers about a recent purse-snatching scam that has resulted in purses and wallets being stolen in plain sight.
In the latest incident, a woman fell victim to the scammers March 3 while loading groceries into her vehicle at the Walmart parking lot in North Vancouver. A man approached her, diverting her attention to her vehicle’s brakes, while an accomplice stole her wallet from her vehicle.
A short time later, $1,600 was withdrawn from her bank accounts and $14,000 was racked up on her credit cards, said Const. Mansoor Sahak, spokesperson for the North Vancouver RCMP.
The suspect is described as having darker skin, approximately 40-50 years old, with black hair. He was wearing a dark-coloured hoodie and jeans.
It’s the third time similar “distraction thefts” have been reported to police on the North Shore in the past six weeks.
Sahak said a similar incident was reported Jan. 26, also at Capilano Mall in North Vancouver.
In that case, a woman was sitting in her vehicle in the parking lot when a man approached her, pointing to a supposed flat tire. As she got out of the vehicle to check on her tire, a second man entered her vehicle and took her wallet, said Sahak. The woman confronted the men, but they took off running.
That same day, another woman was targeted by the scammers in the parking lot of Caulfeild Shopping Centre, using the identical M.O.
A woman who was getting into her car was approached by a man who told her she had a flat tire on the passenger side of her vehicle, according to Sgt. Mark McLean of the West Vancouver Police Department.
But when she walked around to look, “There was no flat tire,” said McLean.
In the brief time it took for the woman to check, however, her purse – which had been in the open vehicle – vanished.
Police suspect the same group is responsible and are targeting vulnerable seniors.
Usually, one of the thieves will point out an alleged mechanical problem on a vehicle. When the driver goes to look, an accomplice quickly swipes any purse or wallet left unguarded in the open vehicle.
How to Protect Yourself
• Don’t let strangers into your personal space or let them touch or hug you
• Don’t leave your wallet or purse in your vehicle, even for a moment
• Always remain vigilant – even when simply going for a walk
• If you feel like you are being targeted by a thief for a distraction theft, yell or make a lot of noise to attract attention and call 9-1-1
• If you have been the victim of a distraction theft, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you wait, the chances of finding the suspects decrease significantly
