Laval police, with the help of Montreal police, have arrested five people in connection with a string of pickpocketing incidents.
Police said that in more than 100 cases, the suspects targeted restaurant patrons using the same strategy: grabbing wallets that are easily accessible, namely from coat pockets, or from purses hanging off chairs.
The suspects then quickly use the credit cards they find to commit fraud.
More than 50 officers teamed up to capture the ring of thieves, searching addresses in Montreal, Laval and Brossard, Laval police said.
The four men and one woman arrested are:
- Walid Benouda, 29
- Amine-Redha Kadri, 37
- Roza Zetchi, 28
- Anass Sanad, 23
- Abdelkader Bechou, 47
The five people were detained and will return to court shortly.
Though the modus operandi was similar, Laval police said there is no reason to believe the five people were part of an organized crime network.
The investigation is ongoing.
Police are reminding the public to always be vigilant and keep their wallet in front of them when in a restaurant or bar.
