By Staff
December 18th, 2017
BURLINGTON, ON
The Regional police had to deal with multiple complaints of theft of purses and wallets at supermarkets in both Burlington and Oakville. The police were looking for two individuals for several thefts that have occurred in Oakville and Burlington. The thieves’ worke3d in pairs stealing from unattended shopping carts.
They watch the person they are going to steal from carefully and then move in quickly – snatch the purse or wallet and they are gone in a flash.
There was a theft early in November at the Whole Foods store in Oakville ; another on November, 26, 2017, where the same two suspects were videoed at the Metro grocery store, Oakville. During this incident, the suspects stole the victim’s purse while she left her shopping cart unattended. The suspects quickly fled the store after committing the theft.
On November 27, 2017, the suspects attended the Food Basics grocery store, located at 3365 Fairview Street, Burlington. During this incident, the suspects stole the victim’s purse as she attended a cooler to select a carton of milk. Once again, the suspects fled the store immediately after the theft.
Police have received 16 reports of such thefts since the beginning of November 2017 where persons targeted were senior citizens whose purses and/or wallets were stolen from their shopping carts while the owner was not looking.
Investigators have been working with area Loss Prevention Officers to identify the persons responsible and were able to positively identify several suspects.
Captured on video – three are arrested.
On December 16th 2017, two persons were arrested in Mississauga and another arrested the following day when police executed a search warrant at an apartment on Hurontario Street in Mississauga. The following persons have been arrested and held for bail:
Barbara GRABOWKSA (45 yrs) of Mississauga
• Theft under $5000 (Nine Counts)
Mariusz ZELINSKI (44 yrs) of Mississauga
• Theft under $5000 (five counts)
• Obstruct peace officer
Beata PARCZEWSKA (37 yrs) of Mississauga
• Theft under $5000 (three counts)
The Regional police officers have very solid relationships with supermarket loss prevention officers xxx Hanson said “We are committed to continuing to work with LPO’s to identify and apprehend offenders – thieves should take note before deciding to steal in Halton Region”
Residents should be aware of their surroundings and be alert for distraction type thefts when shopping in the grocery stores, malls and other retail business.
If you become a victim of a purse or wallet theft please contact your financial services providers, cancel you cards and then call the Halton Regional Police to file a report.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Constable Derek Gray of the Burlington Criminal Investigations Bureau – Vulnerable Persons and Seniors Liaison Team at 905-825-4747 ext. 2344. Tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers “See something, Hear something, Say something” at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), through the web at www.haltoncrimestoppers.ca, or by texting “Tip201” with your message to 274637 (crimes).
