Three charged in series of distraction thefts, say police

The Windsor Police Service has arrested three suspects in connection with a series of distraction thefts. 

Between March and May 2026, officers responded to multiple reports involving suspects targeting people in parking lots across Windsor. 

In each incident, the suspects allegedly approached victims, engaged them in conversation, and used distraction and physical contact, such as hugging, to steal their jewelry. 

Shortly before 10 a.m. May 6, police say the suspects approached a woman in Amherstburg and engaged her in conversation before allegedly stealing her jewelry. 

Less than an hour later, police received a report of a similar incident in a parking lot in the 3100 block of Dougall Avenue, where suspects allegedly replaced a victim’s real jewelry with costume pieces before fleeing in a vehicle. 

Approximately one hour later, members of the Windsor Police Target Base Unit located the suspect vehicle near Crawford Avenue and Tecumseh Road West and took three suspects into custody without incident. 

A 38-year-old, a 23-year-old and a 22-year-old were each charged with theft over $5,000 (x 2), fraud over $5,000 (x 2), theft under $5,000 (x 4), fraud under $5,000 (x 4), possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 (x 2), possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 (x 4), and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. 

The 38-year-old is also charged with two counts of failure to comply with a probation order. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Windsor Police Service Target Base Unit at 519-255-6700, ext. 4350. They can also contact Windsor & Essex County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 519-258-8477 (TIPS) or online at http://catchcrooks.com.

Accident info 

In a follow-up to a photo the RTT published May 6 regarding an accident at Howard Ave. (County Road 9) and Pike Road (County Road 18), police provided additional information May 6.

Emergency crews responded to a three-vehicle collision at approximately 1:10 p.m. Friday, May 1 at the intersection of County Road 9 and County Road 18. Police say a white pickup truck travelling northbound on County Road 9 allegedly entered the intersection against a red light and collided with an eastbound sedan on County Road 18. 

The impact caused the sedan to spin and strike a third vehicle. Police say the sedan sustained significant damage, and both occupants had to be extracted by first responders. They were transported to hospital with serious injuries. 

No other injuries were reported. 

Following an investigation, including witness statements, the driver of the pickup truck was charged with careless driving causing bodily harm. 

The intersection remained closed for several hours while investigators examined the scene.

—All information courtesy of the Windsor Police Service

Three charged in series of distraction thefts - say police