The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) has issued a warning about distractions thefts that are targeting elderly people in South Vancouver.

The VPD announced today (March 22) that they have received six reports of such cases over the past two days.

All of the cases involved a female suspect who exited a vehicle before approaching an elderly woman by herself on a sidewalk or in a yard.

After a brief conversation, the suspect would make physical contact with the victim while swapping the victim’s expensive jewellery with inexpensive ones.

Thus far, the victims remained unaware of the swap until after the suspect departed.

The incidents occurred between 3 and 5:30 p.m. on March 20 and 21.

The suspect is described as a short, heavy-set woman with a dark olive complexion and a round face. She appears to be about 40 to 50 years old and has been seen wearing a white shawl.

Anyone approached by these suspects is asked to call 911 while any victims or anyone with information about these thefts are asked to call the VPD at 604-717-2541.