A 52-year-old man and 22-year-old woman from Toronto are facing charges after Cobourg Police responded to a report of a distraction theft last week.

Police were dispatched to a business on Strathy Road in Cobourg at 11:30 a.m. Friday for a report of a wallet theft.

Through investigation, it was learned that three individuals entered the business and followed a female around the store, taking her wallet from her handbag. The three individuals purchased gift cards in two separate transactions with the victim’s bank card before leaving the store.

Additional purchases were made with the victim’s bank card at a nearby gas station.

Police located and arrested two individuals. A third person remains outstanding (photo above).

The other two suspects are charged with: Theft under $5,000, Possession of stolen property obtained by crime, Theft of Credit Card, Possession of Credit Card, Five counts of Use of Credit Card, Five counts of Use of Credit Card Data and five counts of Fraud Under $5,000.

Both were held for a bail hearing and subsequently remanded into custody.

It is believed the accused individuals have been involved in similar distraction theft crimes in other jurisdictions, and partner police services continue to investigate.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 905-372-6821 or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS or visiting stopcrimehere.ca. Tips received through Crime Stoppers may be eligible for a cash reward.