A long-time Bradford resident is feeling scared yet defiant after becoming the target of a distraction theft last month.
Margaret, 72, has lived in town for nearly 50 years, including more than 30 in a home in the Northgate Drive area of town. But on Oct. 17, the municipality she knows oh so well became a little less comfortable for her.
That afternoon, Margaret was shopping at the Sobeys grocery store on Melbourne Drive. It was during that time, while she was strolling the aisles, that two men wearing medical masks honed in. They followed her around the store. Then they got in Margaret’s checkout line slightly before she did, and stood nearby as she went through, observing her punch in a PIN.
The men watched Margaret go out to her car after that. They got in their own and tailed her home, a distance of almost two kilometres.
At around 2:30 p.m., as she got out to grab the groceries, they approached. One asked about veterinary services for their chihuahua, lowering his arm to the ground to represent the size of the dog. The other went around to the trunk, where Margaret had placed her bag. He went into it, removing all her bank cards from a holder attached to a cell phone case.
Then they took off.
“I felt like I’m stupid,” said Margaret. “Then I got angry.”
Margaret first tried walking down the street to see whether the suspects were still in the area. Then she quickly pivoted to cancelling her cards and calling her daughter, Samantha Himes, who then reached out to South Simcoe police to file a report.
Good thing, too, because the suspects tried to withdraw $1,000 from one of Margaret’s accounts roughly 10 minutes after the interaction.
“They’re targeting little old ladies,” Himes said. “We’ve lived in this neighbourhood for 32 years and we’ve had the odd car theft. But it’s a very quiet street.”
The family approached BradfordToday because they felt it was important to share their story and warn others. And BradfordToday has agreed to withhold Margaret’s last name — which is different from her daughter’s — out of concern for her well-being.
However, Himes has been able to gather details from the grocery store and neighbours who caught the incident on camera. She describes the two suspects as having a father-son dynamic, and they were driving a 2015-era Mitsubishi Outlander with Quebec licence plates.
Himes says they also seemed able to speak in an eastern European tongue.
And after writing about the incident on a Facebook group, she believes this is occurring with increasing frequency in town.
“They literally followed her up and down the aisles,” Himes said. “It’s broad daylight. They’re good. That’s the scary part. They’re not stupid; they know what they’re doing. It looks like other people have had this happen. It sounds like they’re going into stores and targeting people. Most people don’t have the wherewithal. Most people wouldn’t think of that.”
Police spokesperson Samah Othman confirmed Margaret’s incident is being investigated. However, she could not say whether an alleged string of recent distraction thefts are connected to this suspected duo.
“We have received reports of similar occurrences in both Innisfil and Bradford this year and investigate incidents as they are reported,” she said.
Police also would not release an official description of the alleged suspects because the probe into the matter is “ongoing.”
To reduce the chances of becoming a victim of distraction theft, Othman recommends residents set up small limits for tap purchases on debit and credit cards. They should also avoid leaving purses, handbags and backpacks open in the child safety seat of a shopping cart, which can expose wallets, keys, cell phones and other valuable items.
“It’s important to remember to never leave your personal belongings unattended while shopping, and always keep an eye on your items,” she said.
Margaret says her neighbours are rattled by the incident.
“It just makes you wonder what type of people are out there now,” she said.
It’s also affected Margaret’s willingness to go out on her own. Now, she asks her daughter to come with, even on routine errands.
“People need to know,” Himes said. “Know your surroundings. Keep vigilant. Our small town isn’t that small anymore.”
For information on other senior-related crime, visit southsimcoepolice.on.ca.
