Four people arrested in connection with distraction theft operation across Metro Vancouver

File photo of a man in handcuffs. Photo by Getty Images

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Vancouver police have arrested four people believed to be part of a distraction theft operation across Metro Vancouver.

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On Wednesday, shortly before 2 p.m., an elderly man was approached in the rear alley of his residence near East 20th Avenue and Windermere Street by a grey Hyundai Kona with two men and two women inside, according to the VPD.

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While the man was distracted by the male driver, a female passenger got out of the vehicle and swapped the man’s genuine gold necklace with a counterfeit replica. The suspects fled before the man discovered the theft.

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A short time later, at about 2:17 p.m., West Vancouver police were investigating a similar incident with the same vehicle near the Ambleside neighbourhood.

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This time, police say an elderly woman was approached by the group near Bellevue Avenue and 17th Street.

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The two women exited the vehicle, approached the pedestrian, and tried to distract her and steal her wallet before passersby intervened, police said.

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West Van Police officers obtained the vehicle’s license plate information and broadcast a regional alert to all neighbouring law enforcement agencies.

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Just before 3 p.m., Vancouver police stopped the grey Hyundai Kona just east of the Brunette Avenue exit.

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All four people inside the vehicle were arrested.

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Investigators believe the group is responsible for both the East 20th Avenue theft and the West Vancouver incident. The VPD also responded to another distraction theft near Waverley and Nanaimo Street earlier the same day.

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The suspects fled before police arrived, and investigators are working to determine if they are connected to the arrests.

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Police said two suspects have been released with conditions and the other two were transferred to West Vancouver police custody.

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Both police departments are asking anyone who thinks they may be a victim of this type of distraction theft to call police.

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