Another Barrie senior has been the victim of a distraction theft.
Barrie Police say the incident happened just after 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, as the 75-year-old stood on the driveway of his east-end home.
The victim believes he was approached by a late-model grey or black Toyota RAV4 that had turned onto Lay Street from Duckworth Street.
"The male driver rolled down his window and asked for directions, explaining that he was new in the neighbourhood," police said in a news release.
As the homeowner spoke with the driver, the vehicle edged closer, and a female passenger in the rear of the SUV rolled down her window and told him they had just come from the hospital where her father was dying. After he said he was sorry to hear that, police say the female insisted on giving him a gift for his compassion.
"The passenger first handed him what appeared to be a gold ring before offering him a necklace. As the victim leaned toward the open window, she placed the necklace around his neck and, without him realizing it, she removed his own necklace, which had his wedding ring attached," according to the news release.
The suspects drove away westbound on Wellington Street East.
The victim discovered his necklace and wedding ring were missing once he returned inside his home.
The driver is described as a man in his 40s with a tanned complexion and beard, wearing a dark-coloured cap and tinted glasses. The female passenger is described as a woman in her 40s, with a tanned complexion and distinctive gold teeth. Neither suspect was believed to have an accent.
Anyone with information or who may have seen the suspect vehicle in the area of Lay Street, Duckworth Street, Wellington Street East around the time of the theft is asked to contact the investigating officer by email at bosborne@barriepolice.ca.
On Tuesday, Barrie Police said a 77-year-old woman was the victim of a jewelry distraction theft while working in her garden in the area of Ardagh Road and Ferndale Drive.
In that incident on June 23, 2026, police said a white SUV stopped in front of the victim's home, where a female passenger started chatting with the woman, claiming she was a doctor and had been sent to check on someone.
As the victim approached the vehicle, police said the passenger grabbed her, quickly replacing her valuable jewelry with fakes before the SUV drove away.
Barrie Police remind residents that distraction thefts often begin with what appears to be an innocent conversation. Suspects may ask for directions, claim to need assistance, or offer a gift to gain trust and move within arm’s reach of their victim. Once they are close enough, valuable jewelry can be removed in seconds without the victim noticing.
