Police in Brockville, Ontario are urging residents to stay vigilant after a series of distraction-style jewelry thefts have left victims without their valuable necklaces. The latest incident occurred on July 4 outside the Real Canadian Superstore on Parkedale Avenue, where four suspects in a dark SUV approached a shopper and offered to sell them jewelry.
According to Inspector Darryl Boyde of the Brockville Police Service, the criminals convinced the victim to try on a necklace. While placing it around the victim’s neck, they secretly removed the genuine necklace the person was wearing and replaced it with a worthless counterfeit. The victim only realized the switch after the suspects had fled the scene.
This was not an isolated incident. A similar theft was reported on June 10 when suspects approached a woman in a residential neighborhood using the same technique. Inspector Boyde emphasized that these crimes occur in broad daylight when people least expect it. “Your guard is down because you’re just going to get your groceries,” he explained, adding that victims often suffer both financial and emotional losses due to the sentimental value of stolen items.
The warning comes as similar distraction thefts have been reported across Canada, including a recent case in Mississauga where an elderly woman was targeted on July 7. Local pawn shop owner Wade Betts is helping authorities by conducting thorough checks on all items purchased, photographing merchandise, and maintaining detailed records. Police advise residents to be suspicious of strangers offering to sell jewelry in parking lots and to document their valuable belongings in case of theft.
