3 charged in string of distraction thefts at Hamilton stores: police

Hamilton police have charged three men in a string of distraction thefts at retail stores in the city on Tuesday.

Investigators say they received reports of distraction thefts at three separate stores that day where they say the three suspects allegedly worked in a coordinated effort to distract victims and ultimately steal their purses.

In two of the thefts, the suspects targeted women who were over the age of 70.

Police say video evidence played a critical role in capturing the incidents themselves and identifying the vehicle used.

Officers say that Peel Regional Police were able to locate the vehicle in Mississauga and assisted in the arrest of the suspects.

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Hamilton police have now charged 42-year-old Krystian Dolinski, 50-year-old Piotr Molda and 28-year-old Patryk Nosek with three distinct counts of theft under $5,000 and one count of fraud under $5,000.

According to investigators, all three were Polish nationals who were temporarily visiting Canada.

The accused are suspected of carrying out similar thefts in other parts of the province and are being investigated for comparable thefts by several police services.

All three are currently in custody and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Det. Ben Adams of the Hamilton Police Crimes Against Seniors Unit at 905-540-5300.

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