Elderly Whitby woman has purse, bank cards stolen in parking lot scam

The public’s help is needed in identifying a man connected to the theft of banking information from an elderly woman in Whitby.

The Thursday, May 16, 2024 incident took place shortly after an elderly woman had finished shopping at multiple businesses in the area Taunton Road East and Thickson Road North around 12:30 p.m.

The woman headed back to her vehicle where she would be approached by a man who told her that she had “push pins and thumb tacks” behind her tires.

“While the victim removed the pushpins and thumb tacks from behind her car, her purse was stolen from the vehicle,” said Durham Regional Police.

Police allege the man would use the woman’s banking cards from her purse at various locations. He would withdraw cash and spend over $6,000 in a short period.

The man is described as being a Brown male with a heavy build. He had short black hair and was wearing a blue baseball hat and a white collared shirt with a checkered design.

Anyone with surveillance, cell phone, dash cam footage, or any information about this incident is asked to contact Detective/Constable Riddel at 1-888-579-1520, ext. 3891.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.