Woman arrested after string of ‘distraction’ thefts in Halton

A 20-year-old woman is facing charges after a string of purse and wallet thefts in Halton Region.

Halton police say they received 47 reports of distraction type thefts since the beginning of November 2017.

Police say several women had their purse or wallet stolen from a shopping cart at grocery and retail store in Burlington and Oakville while they were looking away.

In some cases, multiple thieves worked in teams to distract the victim, bump their carts or ask for their assistance in the store or parking lot.

On Feb. 22, police arrested and charged Brenda Stojkova of the Czech Republic with theft, fraud and unauthorized use of a credit card.

She is scheduled to appear in a Milton courtroom on April 3.

Police are reminding residents to keep a close eye on their purses and wallets and always be aware of their surroundings.

Residents are reminded to only carry the necessary identification such as a driver’s licence or health card, and leave sin cards, birth certificates and passports securely at home.

If you become a victim of a purse or wallet theft, contact your financial services providers, cancel your cards and then call the Halton Regional Police to file a report.

Anyone with information regarding these incidents or other purse thefts is asked to contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Vulnerable Persons and Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747 ext. 2344.