One Suspect Arrested for February 2nd Distraction Thefts

Brockville – The Brockville Police Service has provided follow-up information on the February 2nd distraction thefts.

City police released information for public awareness in regards to multiple distraction thefts that had occurred at Superstore, Food Basics and Giant Tiger on February 2nd.

They released photos of two out of three male suspects that were posted to the public and other police services. Police said that there were concerns that these suspects were involved in similar occurrences in different jurisdictions.

The suspects were targeting females and attempting to distract them to secretly steal their purses or wallets. Multiple items were taken and fraudulent transactions were made on victims’ financial cards.

In one incident according to police, at Food Basics, the victim became aware of what was happening and engaged in a tug-of-war over her purse. She was successful in retaining her purse and the suspects quickly fled. The other suspects are yet to be identified.

In a release issued today, (Friday, 12, 2024) by police they said with the public’s assistance, and liaising with multiple other police agencies, one of the suspects was positively identified to be a 50-year-old, man, from Mississauga.

The suspect was located and arrested for other offences by the Hamilton Police Service and held in custody. The man was returned to Brockville on April 5th to answer to the charges of Theft Under $5,000.00.

Police say he was held in custody for a bail hearing and faces additional, similar charges in other jurisdictions.