There has been a recent spike in distraction thefts in Prince George, warn the RCMP detachment in the city.
“Over the last 24 hours, the Prince George RCMP have received three reports from the public of personal belongings being stolen while victims were being distracted by an accomplice,” the April 3 release stated.
On April 2, Prince George RCMP frontline officers responded to a theft report from the Roll-a-Dome facility near the intersection of Hwy 97 and Hwy 16 in Prince George. The release said officers learned that an adult male and female entered the business and stole a backpack.
“One suspect distracted the victim while the other stole the backpack,” read the release.
The same evening, officers responded to two different reports where purses were stolen while they were in large retail stores in the city.
“In both cases, the victims were distracted by one suspect while another stole their purse from a shopping cart. An adult male and an adult female were suspects in both cases and are believed to be responsible for all three thefts,” as per the release.
At the end of it, an adult female was arrested by the police following the third incident. She was later released on a Promise to Appear for court later this spring. The release further stated that the male suspect has not yet been located or identified and the investigation is still in progress.
“Police would like to remind the public to keep valuables with them at all times when shopping and whenever possible, place the purse strap over your head and across your body. This will reduce the chances of being a victim of this crime.”
If you have any information about these thefts, please contact the Prince George RCMP at (250) 561-3300 or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1(800)222-8477 or online at www.pgcrimestoppers.bc.ca. You do not have to reveal your identity to Crime Stoppers. If you provide information that leads to an arrest or recovery of stolen property, you will be eligible for a cash reward.
Aman Parhar
Editor, Vanderhoof Omineca Express
aman.parhar@ominecaexpress.com
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