2 women charged in Etobicoke distraction theft and robbery probe
· Toronto Sun
Two Toronto women are facing distraction theft and robbery charges after a female was attacked in her vehicle in an Etobicoke parking lot in February.
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Toronto Police alleged that the victim, an unidentified female, was sitting in a vehicle in a parking lot when she was approached by the two accused on Feb. 26 in the area of Woodbine Downs and Finch Ave.
Police alleged that the accused attempted to distract the victim by offering her counterfeit jewelry and a fake iPhone, while removing the victim’s real jewelry.
Police said the accused “forcefully removed several gold chains from the victim’s neck.”
The victim sustained minor injuries.
Cops said they believe there may have been additional similar incidents involving the accused. The investigation is ongoing.
“The alleged activity was not confined to just Toronto, but these suspects are alleged to have committed offences in Halton Region, Hamilton, Montreal and potentially other jurisdictions,” Toronto Police Supt. Ron Taverner said on Monday afternoon. “Police are in the process of identifying links between cases and prosecuting those involved in these types of crimes, which deliberately target vulnerable members of the community.”
Police released video footage of the alleged incident in Etobicoke. Two individuals can be seen appearing to forcibly remove items from another individual in a red vehicle before fleeing.
The suspects
Through investigation, both suspects were identified, located, and arrested. Search warrants were executed at both of their residences.
On June 2, police arrested Loredana Gardian, 23, of Toronto. She waas charged with robbery with violence and conspiracy to commit a summary offence.
On May 31, officers arrested Patricia Ghivea, 20, of Toronto and charged her with robbery with violence, conspiracy to commit a summary offence and assault of the peace of a public officer.
Seniors often a target
It isn’t the first alleged incident of distraction theft, according to Etobicoke North Councillor Vincent Crisanti, who said distracted thefts involving seniors have increased in his Ward 1 area.
“We do have a large, vulnerable senior population in and around this area and we have a number of different ethnic groups in and around this area who may not be as familiar with how to protect themselves and that is what we are trying to do, get that word out to various communities,” Crisanti said.
The councillor said he will be at the Thistletown Community Centre on Albion Rd. next week to discuss the situation.
“It is about making sure that everybody knows what to do to protect themselves,” Crisanti said. “Awareness is key. I am hoping we can provide that awareness and help seniors better protect themselves.”
In this case, there is a distinction between theft and robbery, Toronto Police said.
“If there is a level of violence, we consider that a robbery,” Taverner said. “If they are ripping chains off people or pushing or shoving them. If they are removing an item from a lady’s purse that is hung over a chair, for example, (that is considered theft).”
A distracted robbery occurs when a suspect distracts a victim’s attention to steal valuables such as wallets, jewelry and phones, cash or other items and has some physical contact with the victim.
The unit commander of 23 Division warned people to be vigilant and offered suggestions on how to stay safe in public spaces.
“Be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and parking lots; keep purses and backpacks, and other bags zipped and secured; be cautious when approached by strangers, particularly when they are overly friendly, persistent or attempting to place items on or in your hands; never leave your phone, wallet or bags unattended in a public place, like hung over a chair in a restaurant and be aware of pickpockets, place your phones not in your back pocket but in your front pocket,” Taverner said.
The Etobicoke incident comes as there have been recent spurts of crime tourism, where suspects enter the country to commit crimes. On June 5, as part of ‘Project Jetsetter,’ Durham Regional Police arrested 46 people in the investigation.
Taverner said those cases do not appear to be linked to the Etobicoke one as the accused in that incident are Canadian citizens.
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