A couple of seniors had their wallets stolen while grocery shopping on Wednesday after being approached by a man asking for help.
“It is not known if the incidents are related,” states a Guelph Police Service news release.
The first incident happened shortly before 2 p.m. at a store near the intersection of Gordon Street and Clair Road West. As explained in the release, a 71-year-old woman was approached by a man who claimed he didn’t speak English and asked for help locating an item, then quickly left.
A short time later, the victim realized her wallet was missing. She later learned a credit card was used before she was able to cancel it.
The suspect in that incident is described as being about 5’ 6” tall with a slim build and an olive complexion. At the time, he was wearing a varsity-style navy blue and white jacket, with jeans, black shoes and glasses.
Later in the day, police learned of a similar incident involving a woman in her 60s. She reported having been shopping in a store near the intersection of Eramosa Road and Stevenson Street North when she was approached by a man who claimed he couldn’t see very well and asked a question about produce.
After he left the area, the victim realized her wallet was gone. She later received a call from her credit card company about suspicious activity on her card.
That suspect is described as a white man in his 30s, about 5’ 5” tall, with a thin build and brown hair. He was wearing glasses at the time.
Anyone with information about the first incident is asked to call Const. Paul Hinchliffe at 519-824-1212 ext. 7408 or email [email protected]. To provide information about the second incident, call Const. Andrew Hildebrandt at 519-824-1212 ext. 7263 or email [email protected].
Details can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.csgw.tips.
