Two distraction theft-type incidents in Collingwood, Ont. are prompting Collingwood and The Blue Mountains Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) to investigate.
Both incidents occurred Saturday, and targeted the exploitation of trusting community members. In each occurrence, an unknown male approached a female in a parking lot, and used a deceptive claim about vehicle problems as a distraction.
For example, in one incident, the male diverted the victim's attention by claiming wires were hanging from the vehicle, which is one of the ways the male was believed to be facilitating theft.
These types of incidents are similar to other reported scams, such as "grandparent" frauds, which prey on unsuspecting individuals.
The OPP is encouraging residents to be wary in public spaces, particularly when approached by strangers offering unsolicited advice or creating distractions. To stay safe, keep personal belongings secure, avoid engaging with suspicious individuals, and report incidents immediately.
OPP is working on employing all available resources, such as surveillance video, to identify those responsible for this investigation.
Anyone with information about these incidents, particularly video or dash cam footage, is asked to contact the Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP at 1-888-310-1122. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or online at www.crimestopperssdm.com.
