Distraction theft

Two men have been arrested after a series of distraction thefts at grocery stores in Burlington, Milton and Georgetown. Halton police are warning people to be alert when shopping saying there’s been dozens of these thefts so far this year.

Patricia McMillan Cordingley was grocery shopping at a Food Basics in Georgetown one morning this week when a man asked her for help.

“I was asked something about a package in the freezer section and I turned enough to open the door of the freezer and hand the gentleman a package.”

That’s all it took for the distraction thieves to steal her phone and wallet. Police say there have been more than 40 distraction thefts in Halton so far this year, all targeting elderly people.

Less than an hour later Patricia’s phone was sold to someone in Toronto and one of her credit cards was used to buy two $50 gift cards.

Yesterday afternoon the same men came back to the Food Basics in Georgetown and were recognized by employees, who called police.

20 year old Bogdan Dymiter of Brampton and a 17 year old, who can’t be named because of his age were arrested

There are ways to protect yourself. Keep your purse or bag with you at all times, keep your wallet at the bottom and the snaps or zippers closed. Most importantly, don’t get distracted.