Edmonton police arrest 3, issue warrants for 3 others in ‘distraction thefts’

Edmonton police are warning people of an ongoing series of distraction-style thefts in which they say robbers quickly try to confuse victims while stealing from them.

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested three people and issued warrants against three more from a group they have been investigating this month. Police say the group was involved in robbing a grocery store of over $1,500 as well as distraction-style thefts of gold jewelry

On Aug. 12, authorities say EPS, RCMP and Canadian Border Services Agency officers executed a search warrant in Strathcona County that resulted in the recovery of gold jewelry, imitation gold jewelry, a 2009 Mercedes ML350, and more than $45,000 in proceeds of crime.

Officers arrested and charged Alexandra Calin, 36, Florentina Calin, 32 and Maricica Grecu, 23 with theft under $5000. Warrants have been issued for Robert Pancu, 26, Rodica Panciu, 28 and Petre Calin, 28.

Police say there might be more victims due to the random nature of the thefts. While six have been identified, there might be other suspects involved in the overall trend of distraction-style thefts, EPS says.

“The people involved in this organized crime have exploited the trust of Edmontonians and caused significant emotional turmoil for some of their victims,” said Cst. Shiva Shunmugam, with EPS Southwest Branch.

“They will reach out to vulnerable seniors who are just about doing their chores outside their house, and come and seek their blessings and would ask them to bless the jewelry that they’re wearing, and while they get confused with that, they will quickly, swiftly remove the jewelry.”

Since May, police have received at least 48 reports of thefts involving distraction techniques. The thieves typically approach complainants in parking lots, residential driveways or at the roadside and use various tactics to distract them.

Police say the suspects initiate contact and establish rapport with their victims, then either place jewellery on them or ask for a hug and remove the victim’s own jewelry during the interaction. The suspects typically operate in large family type groups, often including children.

Police are reminding Edmontonians to be vigilant if approached suddenly by strangers, in particular those who are trying to give away or sell something.

“Don’t let strangers into your personal space or let them touch or hug you,” added Cst. Shunmugam.

“Edmontonians are very trusting. We, as police, want to reaffirm that police is here for you. However, we also want to send a message that if somebody is acting strangely, if somebody is wanting to reach out to you, to give blessings, please call Edmonton police. We would love to get their blessings as well and investigate this right and find these individuals.”