Chilliwack RCMP are warning local seniors to be on the look out for a potential scam.
In the past two weeks there have been four instances where elderly women have been targeted in a complicated deception.
It is believed that the victims are followed home from a shopping trip. The thief, some times in the company of a woman, will park outside of the victim’s residence as they are entering the house with their purchases. The thief will have the hood of the car up, pretending that he is having car trouble with his radiator. The thief then approaches the victim and asks for a jug of water. The thief has even assisted in bringing in the groceries. When the victim is asked for a jug of water and is distracted by getting the water, the thief steals the purse or wallet that has been set down with the groceries and quickly leaves the scene.
The first two incidents occurred during the morning and afternoon of Nov. 16.The last two incidents on the afternoon of Nov. 24. Three of the incidents took place on the north side of Chilliwack and the fourth occurred on the south side.
The thief is described as a caucasian man in his 20s or early 30s with short dark or red hair. He may wear glasses. The thief may have access to different vehicles as two of the incidents involved a red car while a black and a blue car were used in the other two incidents.
“In targeting trusted elderly ladies this is despicable behaviour even for a thief,” said Cpl. Len vanNieuwenhuizen. “We would certainly like to arrest the thief and his accomplice and put a stop to this victimization. We have engaged our Crime Prevention volunteers to put the word out at shopping centers and grocery stores to be aware of this issue. This is a situation where an engaged community can prevent further occurrences”.
Assistance of the general public is requested to solve these occurrences. Anyone having knowledge of these incidents is asked to contact Chilliwack RCMP at 604-792-4611 or, if you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).