Toronto police are searching for a male suspect who allegedly stole a victim’s necklace and replaced it with a fake one in the city’s Little Italy neighbourhood. The incident occurred on Aug. 23, near College and Beatrice streets, just east of Ossington Avenue. Toronto police say they were called to that area that day just after 5 p.m. for a distraction theft. Investigators say the suspect approached the victim roadside in a vehicle and asked for directions. The victim then approached the vehicle and gave directions, they said. “The suspect exited the vehicle and embraced the victim while removing a necklace and replacing it with a fake chain before fleeing the scene,” Toronto Police Service said in a news release. The suspect is described as standing five-foot-eight and approximately 30-40 years old with a heavy build, short dark brown hair, and dark beard. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, dark pants, and a black baseball hat. The vehicle is described as a late model light blue/grey Volvo XC60 with a sunroof and dark tinted windows. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with further information is asked to contact Toronto police at 416-808-5200 or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
