Volunteer targeted in daylight distraction theft in downtown Paris

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

In the early afternoon of October 14, a longtime volunteer in our town was the target of a brazen distraction-theft scheme carried out in broad daylight, in a municipal parking lot, serving a stark reminder that no one is immune, even in our close-knit community.

Between 12:45 and 1:12 pm that day, Edith, a stalwart volunteer with the Paris Horticultural Society, was working on the flower beds behind the Council Chambers parking lot in downtown Paris. 

Edith has served the town for decades, planting, pruning, and maintaining public gardens and planters, and giving directions to visitors from her years as a downtown business owner. So, when a vehicle pulled up and one of the occupants asked for directions to the nearest grocery store, Edith responded as she had many times before.

But the exchange was more calculated than it initially appeared. The suspects — described by the family as a male and female pair, mid- to late-30s, of Mexican ethnicity, with black hair and dark eyes — engaged Edith in conversation and repeatedly asked her to move closer to their vehicle so they could better hear her.

When Edith approached, they expressed gratitude and offered her a ring as a token of appreciation. She declined, citing that she was wearing gardening gloves and did not need a ring. According to the victim’s family, the suspects then insinuated that she was insulting their culture by refusing, saying they wanted to give her a hug for her kindness as the day was in remembrance of ‘an anniversary of someone’s passing.’

It was at that point the scheme escalated. The woman from the back seat put a necklace around Edith’s neck (the piece is now in police custody), pulling her in, while the man from the front seat looped a chain or cord around her wrists to restrain her. They then fled in a dark grey small SUV, driving off with Edith’s gold necklace laden with memory charms, items of both monetary and deeply personal value. The family estimates the value of the theft to be over $5,000.

Valerie Stone, Edith’s daughter, told the Independent: “We are grateful she doesn’t have any marks on her neck nor her wrists as she had gardening gloves on, thankfully.”

“While we likely won’t ever get her necklace back with all her memory charms we hope to help get info for the OPP to find these individuals and create awareness so no one else in our community needs to experience this.”

Valerie also cautioned, “If anything please share with your loved ones to be VERY vigilant. The old saying… most people are good… is not the case anymore.”

Reflecting on the incident, Edith offered this advice: “Be aware of your surroundings, and keep your distance from people and vehicles, so they can’t touch you.”

Police in Brant County are not unfamiliar with distraction thefts now creeping into our smaller towns. Brant County OPP Media Relations Officer Enzo Coletta responded to our inquiries, noting: “Distraction thefts in our small communities never used to happen. That has changed as we have had 2 in the past two months.”

One earlier case involved a similar ruse: an older female was called over to a vehicle by a passenger asking for directions. When she approached, the suspect wrapped her arms around the victim’s neck under the guise of a “thank you hug” and removed the gold necklace, replacing it with a fake. The victim did not notice until hours later and reported the crime to police.

Coletta emphasized the seriousness of this evolving threat. “I don’t have any statistics for you but I do know this type of theft is happening in Brantford and Hamilton more often.”

As for steps to take in order to stay safe he is advising people to be cautious in interacting with a stranger. “Nobody should be hugging you if you do not know them or didn’t save their life, etc. … Always know your surroundings and always be mindful of who is approaching you. If you find yourself being scammed or have been scammed, then you should notify your local police and report the incident.”

This kind of crime is not isolated to Paris or Brant County. Indeed, distraction-style thefts have been increasing elsewhere in Ontario.

In Hamilton, police recently reported a sharp rise — from 39 such offenses in 2024 to 74 already in 2025, mostly targeting older adults walking in their neighbourhoods. In one case, a woman was approached by suspects in a dark SUV; a female passenger asked her to try on a ring. Later, her own jewellery was switched and removed. 

In Brantford, a woman recounted that she had kindly given directions to a vehicle, only to have a necklace placed at her neck and taken. The suspects drove off, leaving her feeling “violated.” 

On a broader scale, the OPP’s Central Region led an investigation dubbed Project Final, laying 130 charges related to distraction thefts across Ontario. Many of the victims were seniors (average age around 75). The perpetrators used techniques such as “shoulder surfing” to capture PIN codes and then distract victims to gain access to cards or jewelry. 

Valerie’s public appeal underscores a critical need in situations like these and that is the community must remain vigilant. She asked residents to review Dash Cam or security video footage in the noon hour of October 14, looking for a dark grey small SUV and the two suspects (male and female, mid-to-late 30s). Even small clues, license plate fragments, time stamps, direction of travel, may be vital to the investigation. 

If you have information on the Paris incident including video footage, vehicle sightings, or other observations please contact the Brant County OPP immediately at 1-888-310-1122 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Your eyes and ears might help prevent this from happening to someone else.

How to protect yourself from distraction thefts

Brant County OPP, as well as police in Hamilton and other jurisdictions, offer some key safety tips to reduce your risk:

• Maintain distance — Don’t move unnecessarily closer to vehicles or strangers. Be cautious when someone in a vehicle asks you to approach.

• Refuse unsolicited gifts or jewellery — Never accept rings, necklaces, or other items from strangers — especially if they ask you to put them on.

• Avoid hugs or physical contact — Physical closeness can be used as a tactic to restrain or distract.

• Be alert to suspicious interactions — If someone seems overly insistent, emotional, or trying to play on sympathy, step back and disengage.

• Stay connected — If possible, be where others can see you, work in pairs or groups, and carry a phone to call for help immediately.

• Report in real time — If you feel uneasy or suspect a scam, call your local police immediately.

• Share the warnings — Talk to family, friends, neighbours (especially seniors) about this tactic, so awareness spreads.