Good Samaritan victimized following latest distraction theft in Hamilton

Hamilton police are looking to the public in the hopes of identifying two suspects allegedly involved in a distraction theft which left a community member victimized after trying to help someone in need.

Officers said a local resident was walking home on the night of Feb. 11 around 11 p.m., when they were approached by a woman who asked for help paying for her cab fare. The woman told the victim that her debit card was not working and that the driver would not accept cash.

Wanting to help, detectives said the victim accompanied the woman to what appeared to be a waiting cab.

During the interaction, the victim attempted to pay using their debit card. Shortly after the transaction, the victim was given back a debit card which they later discovered did not belong to them.

When the victim returned home, they discovered several unauthorized transactions had been made from their bank account.

Officers have since obtained surveillance video from a location where the victim’s debit card was later used.  They are searching for both suspects including the woman who approached the victim and a man believed to have been operating the vehicle.

Police describe the first suspect as a woman with brown skin between the age of 20 to 30 years old. She is between five-foot-two and five-foot-five tall. She has a larger than average build with black wavy hair. She was wearing a black puffer jacket and was seen with a vape.

The second suspect is described as a man with brown skin between the age of 20 to 30 years old. He has a slim build with black hair and a black beard. He was wearing a grey or dark-coloured sweat suit.

The car involved was described as a black four-door sedan.

Police are reminding residents that criminals sometimes exploit a person’s kindness to create opportunities for theft. Hamilton authorities encourage residents to remain cautious when asked to assist strangers with financial transactions and to avoid sharing banking cards or PIN information.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Division 10 Detectives at 905-546-3833 or to provide information anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or submit your anonymous tips online.

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