Three Mississauga men arrested in Waterloo have been diverted from a theft investigation

Two women and a man, all from Mississauga, have been arrested in Waterloo after a series of thefts aimed at distracting the elderly.

On Friday around 5:20 p.m., Waterloo Regional Police said they were called to a store near Erb Street West and Fisher Holman Road. An employee told police they recognized two women at the store who were believed to be involved in a series of recent thefts involving elderly distractions.

Police said they arrested two women at the scene. Upon further investigation, officers determined that one of the women was distracting her victim and the other was stealing items from the victim’s purse while they were in the store.

Police said they found the getaway car in the store’s parking lot, where they arrested the man.

Police said they seized several bank cards, credit cards and cell phones.

A 34-year-old woman, a 56-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man are charged with unauthorized use of a credit card and two counts of theft under $5,000. The man is also accused of violating his probation.

The investigation is ongoing, and police said additional charges are expected.

Police said they believe there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to contact police at 519-570-9777, ext. 6370.