Senior citizens and thrifters appear to be the victims of a new generation of pickpockets, a criminal threat that may be making a comeback in the GTA.
This after two victims came forward to Torstar with stories of thefts while out shopping the past few weeks.
In one instance, the victim said she was told by staff that a theft at a popular thrift store would make sense given that it was "a Tuesday," the day of the week Value Village gives senior citizens a 30 per cent discount.
Stephanie Stavros, 41, a Pickering mom said she was shopping at the Ajax location at 155 Harwood Ave. N. with her elderly mother at the beginning of December when she went to check her phone and found nothing but lint in her coat pocket.
When she approached the manager, she discovered two other women, both elderly, complaining about the same thing, their phones were gone.
“(One elderly woman) was in tears, she hadn’t yet paid for her phone … I had to give her a hug,” said the mother of one. “When we checked the surveillance, we saw three men follow us into the store. Then I disappeared (off screen) into the second aisle … that’s a red flag.”
Stavros said the manager, who she noted was very kind, added she’d warned the company of the incidents and had asked for increased measures.
When contacted directly the store manager declined to comment and asked that corporate communications be contacted directly.
In a statement, Value Village said the company is currently liaising with its stores in regards to the incidents.
"Our security team is working closely with our local stores to understand more about the reported incidents," said company spokesperson Hailey Carnegie.
On Friday, Dec. 13, Karen Ahmed entered the Markham location at 7655 Markham Rd. with her phone at 2:30 p.m.
“I am always checking my phone is there, I’m always checking, double checking, it’s a habit,” said the 54-year-old mother of two.
When she noticed it was gone, she began retracing her steps and looking along the ground to try and find where she might have dropped it. But when she called her son on her work phone, he enlightened her as to what had occurred.
“Mom, you’ve been pickpocketed,” he exclaimed.
When Ahmed approached the store manager, she was told much the same as Stavros, the store has significant areas not covered by surveillance. The footage shown to Ahmed failed to capture anything untoward.
Police around the GTA have reported repeated issues at Value Village stores. Peel Police said there have been 19 incidents at the region’s stores, five being reports of pickpocketing and 11 of the victims were over the age of 60.
Halton police said there were six pickpocketing incidents over the past five months and Durham and York police also reported a handful of thefts at Value Villages as well.
Despite the numbers though, experts say most people don’t report these types of crimes because of a variety of issues, including lack of surveillance footage of the crime, lack of belief that anything can be done or lack of knowledge what has actually occurred — victims often believing they’ve simply lost or misplaced their devices.
Mitesh Shah, co-founder of the security firm Empire Protection, said he witnessed a surge in pickpocketing incidents this summer in the GTA, a situation that he believes has likely flared again as the holidays prompt more shoppers.
“It’s becoming more prevalent everywhere, but especially in Canada, people here are going through tougher times,” he said. “The job market, the economy and it’s the holiday season.”
Shah added, however, there are simple solutions for stores.
Extra cameras and security guards can act as a physical deterrent to this type of crime, he said.
Carnegie added that customer safety is a top priority for Value Village.
“While theft and safety concerns are challenges for retailers across Canada, we are not aware of a trend specific to senior discount days at our stores," Carnegie added.
"Our stores are equipped with a variety of safety and security measures … In cases of theft or safety concerns, we follow strict procedures that involve escalating incidents internally and working directly with local law enforcement to enhance our approach as needed.
"We encourage anyone affected to report incidents to our store managers and local law enforcement. Customer safety is our top priority and we remain committed to maintaining a welcoming shopping experience for everyone."
As for Stavros and Ahmed, the two women said they continue to struggle with their emotions following the thefts and said they would like to see improved measures including more signage and announcements to shoppers.
Stavros said she won’t be attending the store for some time given her experience.
Tips on how to stay safe from pickpockets and distraction thefts include keeping valuables, money, credit cards and phones close to you, ensuring bags and purses face the front, travel with a buddy and always be aware of your surroundings.
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