A small business owner in Langley, B.C., is sounding the alarm over an alleged distraction theft with a troubling twist—it involved young children.
It started innocently enough on Tuesday.
Georgina Williamson, owner of Nova and Co., said two kids entered her consignment store alone.
“They kind of walked around,” Williamson told CTV News on Friday. “I said hello to the little girl. I didn’t think anything of it.”
Three women then joined the kids.
Williamson said the women spoke with an Irish or British accent that sounded off to her, and which she speculated may have been fake.
“That’s one thing that really stood out to me,” Williamson said. “I’ve never heard anything like this in my life.”
In real time, Williamson didn’t see a theft.
But when she looked back at store surveillance video, both the adults and the kids can be seen tucking away items.
Williamson said they did purchase some items, and used techniques to distract her—as well as providing blocks for each other by using items, including a cowboy hat, to prevent the shop owner from seeing their actions.
“When I realized that children were involved and that these women were pulling things down for the kids’ level, that they could reach it and put it under their sweaters, it was disgusting,” Williamson said. “It’s disgusting that you used little children—we’re talking like eight and 10—to steal for you.”
Williamson wants to warn other business owners, estimating they took $2,000 worth of merchandise.
“People need to know this because, I’ll tell you as a business owner—when people come in my store with children, I don’t (suspect them),” Williamson said. “I did not focus on the children at all. They are children.”
Langley RCMP are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information to come forward.
