Three Individuals Wanted in Connection to Distraction Thefts
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Hamilton Police are investigating two distraction-theft incidents that occurred on November 8, 2025, at retail stores across the city. In both cases, victims were deliberately targeted and had their wallets stolen through coordinated team tactics.
First Incident – Discount Store A 68-year-old male was paying for his purchase when he was selected by three suspects. One suspect positioned himself close behind the victim to observe his PIN, while a second suspect impeded the victim’s exit. A third suspect then stole the victim’s wallet. Before the victim realized it was missing, approximately $2,000 had been withdrawn from his accounts.
Second Incident – Thrift Store An 83-year-old female was shopping when the same suspects used a similar distraction technique. One suspect engaged her by pretending to move her shopping cart, while the other two moved behind her, dropped an item to create a distraction, and stole her wallet. The suspects left the store before the victim became aware of the theft.
As a result of the investigation, Hamilton Police have identified two of the suspects:
- Florian STOIAN, 40-year-old male from Markham
- Ana PETRESCU, 46-year-old female from Scarborough
A third suspect is still unidentified at this time
This method of theft is common, particularly during busy shopping periods. Hamilton Police urge the public to:
- Shield your PIN when making purchases
- Keep wallets and valuables secured and not easily accessible
- Be cautious of strangers engaging you unexpectedly, including attempts to distract you through conversation, physical contact, sales pitches, or offers of jewellery