NEWS RELEASE
BARRIE POLICE
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The Barrie Police are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying three women following a distraction theft at Joe's No Frills.
On Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018, just before 1 p.m., three women entered Joe’s No Frills located at 165 Wellington St. in the City of Barrie. (It is alleged that) one of the women approached the victim and distracted her while the other woman removed her wallet from her purse, which had been sitting in the shopping cart, and placed it into a newspaper she had been carrying and walked away.
The suspects attempted to make a fraudulent transaction with the victim’s credit card at a nearby bank machine. The transaction was declined as a result of the victim quickly cancelling her credit cards.
The vehicle the suspects were travelling in was a 2011 or newer, grey four-door, Ford focus.
The investigation is ongoing
Suspects are described as:
Suspect 1:
- Female, white (20 to 30 years)
- Described as European descent
- Thin build
- Dark hair
- Wearing a purple wool hat, black jacket, black “Adidas” pants, and pink/purple shoes and carrying a “Coach” purse
Suspect 2:
- Female, white (30 to 40 years)
- Described as European descent
- Heavy build
- Wearing a grey Gatsby style hat, grey long neck sweater, black tights, and grey boots and carrying a grey purse
Suspect 3:
- Female, white (20 to 30 years)
- Described as European descent
- Thin build
- Dark hair
- Wearing a black wool hat, black long jacket and carrying a “Coach” purse
The Barrie Police are reminding residents to be cautious and follow the safety tips provided to protect themselves:
- Keep your personal items within eyesight while shopping and never turn your back on them in public
- Keep all zippers closed and pockets buttoned
- If someone requests your assistance, or accidentally bumps into you, or spills something on you, be alert and be aware of those people around you
- If you are approached in a parking lot by someone claiming your tire is flat, your vehicle is damaged, or you have dropped money on the ground, immediately retrieve your purse or wallet, turn off your vehicle and take your keys out of the ignition. This may be a ploy to distract you in order to steal your purse and possibly your vehicle
Criminals are opportunists and have several techniques and distractions they will use, and they will alter their methods to avoid being caught.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Hemington of the Barrie Police Service at 705-725-7025, ext. 2763, [email protected] or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leave an anonymous tip at www.tipsubmit.com.
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