11 arrests in distraction-style thefts targeting Hamilton seniors

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Project Heirloom, a two-month investigation into a rise in distraction-style thefts targeting seniors in Hamilton, has led to 11 arrests and 84 charges laid.

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Hamilton Police say investigators noticed a concerning increase in these thefts last year and by November the city had recorded 96 distraction thefts, exceeding the total combined number of such incidents from 2021 to 2024.

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Police say these crimes involved theives deliberately distracting elderly victims in retail stores, parking lots and public spaces in order to steal wallets, jewelry and banking information.

Over the course of Project Heirloom, investigators were able to pursue charges in 10 incidents.

Suspects lived in Scarborough in short-term rentals

Detectives allege consistent patterns among the suspects with many based in the Scarborough area, relying on short-term rental accommodations, and using rental vehicles that were frequently changed, making tracking difficult.

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Investigators also allege the suspects would travel to Hamilton for single-day theft sprees and then leave the city for weeks at a time to commit similar offences elsewhere in Southern Ontario.

Cops identified two residences allegedly connected to the criminal network and executed search warrants, uncovering evidence of coordinated distraction-theft cells operating across multiple jurisdictions.

Police say on Nov. 8, 2025, three suspects targeted elderly victims at Food Basics on Mohawk Rd. E. and later at Mission Thrift Store on Upper Gage Ave., stealing wallets and PIN information before withdrawing thousands of dollars from the victims’ bank accounts.

Two of the suspects were identified and are currently wanted.

Ana Marie Petrescu and Florian Stoian are wanted for seven counts each of theft under $5,000, four counts each of identity theft, trafficking in credit card data, use of stolen credit card and one count of theft of credit card and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000.

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Both accused are wanted by Toronto and Halton Police Services and have allegedly been linked to similar offences across Canada.

On Nov. 18, 2025, a concerned citizen disrupted a distraction theft in progress at a Food Basics on Barton St. E.
The suspects attempted additional thefts at two other grocery stores before fleeing Hamilton.

Investigators identified the suspects and both were arrested following a search warrant in Scarborough.

Florin Zmarandache and Elvira Zmarandache are believed to have fled Canada after becoming wanted by Hamilton Police and warrants remain outstanding for their arrest on four counts each of theft under $5,000 and one count each of proceeds of crime under $5,000.

Cops say on Dec. 18, 2025, two elderly victims reported having their wallets stolen while shopping at separate retail locations.

Victims had wallets removed while distracted

In both cases, victims were distracted while suspects removed wallets from shopping carts and later used stolen bank cards to withdraw money and make purchases.

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Investigators identified the following George Ungur and Gina Ungur as suspects who are currently wanted on four counts each of use of stolen credit card, two counts each of identity theft, theft under $5,000 and possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000 and one count of trafficking in credit card data.

Cops say on Dec. 21, an elderly victim was robbed in a parking lot in the area of Queen St. N.

Police say the victim was distracted by a woman who placed costume jewelry on him before stealing a Patek Philippe watch valued between $250,000-$325,000.

Search warrants executed in Scarborough recovered costume jewelry and luxury items purchased shortly after the robbery.

Both accused remain in custody and charged are Geovani Alexandru and Stefania Alesandru are both charged with robbery, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and proceeds of crime under $5,000.

Alexandru also faces one theft over $5,000 charge.

Police say on Jan. 6, 2026, an elderly victim was robbed in the parking lot of Starsky Fine Foods on Queenston Rd. after being approached by suspects offering costume jewelry.

Nicolae Alexandru and Rozaura Sirbu are wanted on robbery charges.

Project Heirloom remains ongoing and investigators believe additional victims may exist.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call police at 905-546-4925 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477.

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