Toronto police are running a patrol blitz to combat the meteoric rise of “despicable” distraction thefts targeting seniors across the city.
There have been 374 distraction thefts across Toronto so far this year, an explosive growth from 2024 which saw just 28 incidents throughout the entire year, Chief Supt. Mandeep Mann said while speaking at a press conference Wednesday morning.
The thefts involve someone diverting a victim’s attention before swiping something valuable like jewelry, wallets, or phones. The perpetrators target 60- to 90-year-olds during daylight hours on weekdays, Mann warned.
