Witnesses sought after senior’s gold necklace stolen in East Vancouver distraction theft, police say

A Vancouver Police Department patch is seen on an officer's uniform as she makes a phone call after responding to an unknown incident in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A 76-year-old woman was left without her gold necklace after police say she was targeted in a distraction theft in East Vancouver Tuesday afternoon.

The Vancouver Police Department said the victim was waiting for family members around 12:30 p.m. near East 11th Avenue and Victoria Drive when she was approached by a woman.

Police said the woman told the senior she looked like her mother before hugging her and saying it was her mother’s birthday.

“During the encounter, the suspect allegedly removed the victim’s gold necklace and replaced it with another necklace without the victim’s knowledge,” the VPD said in a news release Wednesday. “About 30 minutes later, the senior discovered her necklace, which had two gold rings attached to it, was missing.”

Police described the suspect as a white woman believed to be in her mid-30s, with olive skin, a round face and short dark hair.

Officers are also hoping to track down a male suspect spotted with the woman, who is believed to have been driving a dark green four-door sedan.

He is described as white, also in his mid-30s, with olive skin, short dark hair and no facial hair, police said.

“Police are urging community members with elderly relatives to make sure their loved ones are aware these thefts are occurring, and to take steps to protect themselves,” Const. Megan Lui said in the release. “Keep valuable jewelry hidden under clothing and do not let strangers approach you, even if they seem friendly and are offering gifts.”

Anyone with information, CCTV or dash-cam video of the area at the time is asked to contact the VPD.