SkyTrain users warned over distraction theft
VANCOUVER — Metro Vancouver Transit Police are warning SkyTrain users to be wary of distraction theft after a string of crimes this summer.
Two suspects have been arrested, and police are searching for a third, in connection with multiple cases of distraction theft, in which passengers were offered help buying tickets while another thief steals passcode information and personal belongings.
Since July 13, transit police have investigated 10 cases of passengers travelling the Canada Line becoming victims of two men and a woman using distraction techniques.
Sgt. Clint Hampton said all the incidents are similar: One or more people from the group offer their assistance to the victim at the ticket vending machines, passing themselves off as Good Samaritans. He said they get close enough to watch the victim enter their personal identification number associated to their credit or debit card, while purchasing their transit fare.
Once the victims have entered their PIN and bought a valid fare, other members of the group follow them and then either bump into them or engage the victim in conversation. Then another person steals the victim’s wallet or purse.
Then they use the victim’s card to remove large sums of money and make substantial purchases. Hampton said in some cases losses have been more than $5,000.
On July 21, transit officers on patrol at the Yaletown station spotted a man and woman they recognized from a police bulletin.
Ricardo Oprea, 31, and Alina Raducanu, also 31, have been arrested and are facing theft charges. Both were wanted on CanadaWide immigration warrants.
Raducanu was released on a promise to appear in court Oct. 11, while Oprea remains in custody awaiting a second immigration hearing Aug. 28.
The third suspect was spotted on video jumping on a train at Yaletown Station while the officers were dealing with the other two suspects.
He has been identified as 30-year-old Auras Yanis Raducanu, also wanted on an an immigration warrant. He is believed to be the husband of Alina Raducanu.