Video captures distraction theft from 88-year-old woman in East Vancouver

Vancouver police have released footage of a distraction theft that targeted an 88-year-old woman in East Vancouver, leaving her without two valuable gold necklaces. The incident occurred Tuesday afternoon near Kaslo Avenue and East Hastings Street.

Video shows the senior outside her home selling parking passes when a vehicle pulled up. A woman in the back seat asked for help, then grabbed the victim's wrist. While distracting her with conversation, the suspect swapped the woman's real gold necklaces, one with jade, for fake jewelry before the vehicle sped away.

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Police believe this incident is related to another distraction theft reported in Vancouver on Tuesday, as the suspect and vehicle descriptions are similar.

The suspect vehicle is described as a dark-colored, four-door Kia Soul. The female suspect wore a white T-shirt and was in the back seat with two children. A man was driving.

Constable Megan Lui stated that police believe this incident is connected to another distraction theft reported in Vancouver on the same day, due to similar suspect and vehicle descriptions. Authorities are appealing to the public for information, asking anyone who may have witnessed the theft or seen the suspects before or after the incident to come forward.

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We believe there were witnesses in the area who may have seen the theft or the suspects before or after it occurred, and we are asking them to come forward.