Burnaby RCMP confirm a cluster of 10 distraction-theft incidents beginning Nov. 13, 2025—crimes that have removed personal and heirloom jewellery, creating both emotional loss and uninsured financial exposure for victims.
- Price: Varied — victims report family heirlooms and personal pieces (values not consistently disclosed)
- Carat weight: Not uniformly reported; incidents involve small to mid-sized gems and metalwork
- Origin: Public spaces across Burnaby; suspects approach on foot
- Date: Nov. 13, 2025 – present
What happened
Burnaby RCMP’s Community Response Team has taken investigational lead. “Our investigators are working hard to identify the suspects,” Constable Dwight Martin said. The pattern is consistent: a male and two females approach a target, ask for directions or claim a medical emergency, then engage physically — a touch to the wrist, an attempted hug — to remove and swap jewellery with an imitation. In several cases the swap succeeded; in others the attempt was interrupted. Victims report losses of pieces with warm patina and substantial heft — items with memory as much as market value.
Context — why this matters in 2025
Distraction thefts are not new, but their incidence in late 2025 arrives at a sensitive moment for the jewellery sector. Retailers are navigating increased demand for visible, sculptural pieces while advising clients who favour discreet wear and secure transport. As lab-grown gemstones gain acceptance and appraisal frameworks evolve, the secondary market for natural heirlooms remains the most attractive to thieves because of their durable resale value and recognisable vitreous luster.
For insurers and auction houses, even small, targeted losses can ripple through client trust metrics: an unrecovered family piece may reduce willingness to consign or display high-value items publicly. For retailers, the loss is not only inventory but reputational — a customer who has had an heirloom taken in public is less likely to return or refer.
Impact for US retailers and investors
Practical implications are immediate. Stores should assume elevated risk for clients moving between public space and point of sale, and for staff conducting outreach or home visits. Loss-prevention measures that matter in 2025 include discreet secure transit options, verified courier protocols, and clearer guidance on appraisals that note provenance and unique physical characteristics (substantial heft, maker’s marks, bezel construction). Updating insurance endorsements to cover accidental public loss and reinforcing buy-back and consignment terms can protect both balance sheets and client relationships.
Safety advice and next steps
Burnaby RCMP and media relations officer Cpl. Laura Hirst urged reporting even when no property was lost: “If you have had a similar situation happen to you, we would like to hear from you. You may have important information that can lead to the identification of these suspects.”
- Remain vigilant in public — avoid engaging closely with strangers who seek physical contact.
- Advise clients to fasten clasps and consider temporary, unobtrusive covers for visible pieces when walking in busy areas.
- Train staff to recognise the described group tactic and to document, report and escalate suspicious encounters immediately.
- Encourage customers to carry documentation (photos, serial numbers, appraisals) stored securely off-site or digitally.
If you or a client has been impacted, Victim Services is available 24/7 at 604-646-9700. To report information or an unreported incident call Burnaby RCMP at 604-646-9999. More safety guidance is available on the RCMP website: https://rcmp.ca/en/bc/safety-tips/theft-and-vandalism/distraction-theft#safe
Image Referance: https://voiceonline.com/burnaby-rcmp-warn-public-as-distraction-thefts-rise/