Police are urging residents to be aware of distraction thefts after a Barrie senior was duped.
On June 23, 2026, police say a white SUV stopped in front of a 77-year-old woman's home in the area of Ardagh Road and Ferndale Drive while she was outside gardening. The female passenger chatted with the woman, claiming she was a doctor and had been sent to check on someone.
"As the woman approached the vehicle, the passenger grabbed her, quickly replacing her valuable jewelry with fakes before the SUV drove away," police said in a news release.
No injuries were reported.
Police add that these thieves count on people being polite.
"They keep the conversation going to create enough confusion to distract their victim long enough to steal from them without attracting any attention," police stated in the news release. "The scenario may sound obvious. You may think you would never fall for it. But in the moment, it may not seem suspicious at all. That's why these thefts work. Distraction thefts can happen anywhere - parking lots, stores, and even in your front yard."
Police advise people to trust their instinct.
"If someone moves too close, they should step back, end the conversation, and walk away."
