+34A 78-year-old Brampton woman was allegedly robbed of $20,000 worth of jewelry during her evening walk on July 28. Police are investigating the distraction-style theft and have identified a vehicle of interest.
Police are investigating after a 78-year-old Brampton woman was allegedly robbed of $20,000 worth of jewelry during her evening walk earlier this year. The theft happened just before 6 p.m. on July 28 on a residential street near Chinguacousy Road and Bovaird Drive West, according to her family.
Suspect Tricks Brampton Woman
The woman's son, Raghavendra Kumar, said his mother was walking in her neighbourhood when an SUV stopped beside her. Surveillance video provided to media outlets appears to show an elderly woman on a sidewalk as the vehicle pulls up next to her. Kumar said his mother, who does not speak English well, initially believed the woman who approached her was a neighbour. In an attempt to gain trust, the woman bent down and touched his mother's feet before hugging her.
For about 10 seconds, she was completely believing and trusting of that female, Kumar said. He said the woman then placed a fake piece of jewelry around his mother's neck while removing her real gold necklace. The suspects also allegedly took her gold bangles before leaving in the SUV. Peel Regional Police told CP24 that the woman depicted in the video shared by Kumar is considered a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
Police have identified a white Chevrolet Equinox as a vehicle of interest, but have not provided a description of any suspects they are looking for. Kumar estimates about 110 grams of jewelry worth roughly $20,000 in raw metal value were stolen. He said the jewelry carried far more than monetary value for his mother, describing it as deeply emotional. That jewelry is more emotional, he said.
My father passed away around 2008. The jewelry was gifted by my father when they got married in 1971. Kumar explained his father was a goldsmith who made the jewelry for his mother. When she realized what had happened, Kumar said she was shivering and that she could not walk.
Mother Reacts to Robbery
He said his mother eventually made it home but could not speak for a span of 30 minutes. When she rang the bell, I was tensed because she's already a heart patient, Kumar said. I was more worried about her health. I was least worried about the jewelry at that moment.
Kumar said he collected CCTV footage from several homes in the neighbourhood and provided it to Peel police and CP24. Peel Regional Police said in a statement that they are currently investigating the July 28 incident and have reviewed the CCTV footage provided by Mr. Kumar. Kumar said he has followed up with police every few weeks but has not received a significant update.
He added that his mother has stopped taking her usual walks, which she looked forward to every summer evening. She looks forward to summers for evening walks, Kumar said, describing how his mother would walk around the crescent and frequently chat with neighbours. She is completely low. She has stopped going for walks outside.
Similar Theft Occurs Toronto
He said she now walks only in the backyard. Kumar first reached out to media after seeing a recent story about a similar jewelry theft under investigation by Toronto police. In that June 26 incident, police allege a woman approached a victim near Ellesmere Road and Midland Avenue and asked for directions. A man then allegedly drove up and also asked for directions.
Police say the woman got out, placed a fake gold chain around the victim's neck and allegedly removed the victim's personal chain. Peel police noted they are aware of the separate Toronto jewelry theft involving a fake gold chain and a similar looking vehicle, but say there is currently no evidence to confirm the two are related. The Toronto police investigation into the June 26 incident is also ongoing.
The Brampton theft remains under investigation, and no arrests have been made. Peel police are asking anyone with information about the Brampton incident to contact 22 Division CIB investigators at 905-453-2121 x2233. The incident is just the latest in a series of distraction-style thefts that have made headlines across the Greater Toronto Area this year. Distraction thefts, where thieves engage victims in conversation or physical contact to steal valuables, have been on the rise in the region.
Distraction Theft Trend Rise
Peel police have previously issued warnings about such incidents and advise residents to be cautious when approached by strangers, especially if they attempt to place items on them. The elderly are often targeted due to perceived vulnerability. For Kumar, the incident has left his family trying to make sense of what happened in a neighbourhood they had always considered safe.
Everyone in the family was shocked because we never expected that can happen in our neighborhood for an elderly person, he said. Kumar's mother, a heart patient, has been deeply affected by the incident. The emotional toll is evident as she no longer takes her evening walks, which were a source of joy and social interaction. The family hopes that sharing their story will help prevent similar incidents and lead to the arrest of those responsible.
Peel police continue to investigate the Brampton theft and are urging anyone with information to come forward. As the community grapples with these crimes, residents are encouraged to look out for one another and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The impact of such thefts extends beyond financial loss, affecting the sense of safety and well-being of victims and their families.
CTVNewsVI 
CTVToronto:‘She was shivering’: Brampton family fears for elderly mother after $20K jewelry theft 
CP24:‘She couldn’t walk’: 78-year-old Brampton woman shaken by $20K jewelry theft 
CTVNews:‘She couldn’t walk’: 78-year-old Brampton woman shaken by $20K jewelry theftThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Brampton Jewelry Theft Raghavendra Kumar Peel Police Distraction Theft Chevrolet Equinox Toronto Theft Elderly Woman Peel Regional Police Elderly Woman Robbed Chevrolet Equinox Vehicle Of Interest Elderly Victim Fake Gold Chain
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