Toronto police announced the arrest of two women suspected of a string of violent distraction thefts that have plagued vulnerable seniors across the Greater Toronto Area. the arrests follow a Feb. 26 incident near Woodbine Downs Boulevard and Finch Avenue, where a victim was stripped of jewelry while being handed counterfeit items. Superintendent Ron Taverner warned that the crimes may involve perpetrators on visitor visas, adding urgency as the city prepares for the FIFA World Cup.

Feb. 26 Woodbine Downs robbery sparks wider probe

On Feb. 26, officers from 23 Division responded to a call at a parking lot near Woodbine Downs Boulevard and Finch Avenue. According to Superintendent Ron Taverner, a woman sitting in her car was approached by two suspects who offered her a fake iPhone and counterfeit jewelry while forcibly removing her real gold chains. The victim sustained minor injuries, and police later linked the method to a series of similar thefts targeting seniors.

Arrests of Patricia Ghivea, 20, and Loredana Gardian, 23

Police identified the two suspects as Patricia Ghivea, 20, and Loredana Gardian, 23, and arrested them shortly after the Woodbine Downs icnident. Both are now facing robbery with violence charges, and investigators believe they are responsible for multiple other robberies across the GTA. as reported by Toronto Police, images of the suspects have been released to help locate additional victims.

Visitor‑visa suspects complicate investigations

Superintendent Taverner said many of the groups behind distraction thefts are not Canadian citizens and often operate on visitor visas, making them harder to track. "We believe that in a lot of cases, these people are here on visitor visas, etc., and that’s creating a much more difficult way that we have to locate them," he told reporters. this transnational element mirrors findings from Project Jetsetter, a Durham police probe that uncovered similar patterns .

FIFA World Cup safety warnings from Supt. Taverner

With the FIFA World Cup set to bring global crowds to Toronto, Taverner urged residents and visitors to stay vigilant. he recommended keeping purses zipped, not leaving belongings unattended, storing phnoes in front pockets, and being wary of overly friendly strangers offering items. The police also noted that suspects sometimes use children as distractions and often work in pairs, exploiting the trust of older adults.

Are more undisclosed gangs operating province‑wide?

While the arrests mark a breakthrough, officials have not confirmed whether other organized groups remain active in Ontario. The lack of concrete numbers on pending cases leaves open the question of how many additional victims may still be unaccounted for. As the investigation continues, police are urging anyone with information to come forward .